
LAWS 

OF THE 

Lnmcnwealtb of /f&asMCbttsetto 


POL 


RKLATIN O TO 

I TIC A L CO M M1T T EE S, 
CAUCUSES, 
CONVENTIONS, 

AND THE 

i -OMXNATION OF CANDIDATES. 

WITH AN APPENDIX 
«,y.TfAimS« SECTIONS RELATING To 

tJORRURT PRACTICES, 

• INCUR.MAT!ON AS TO 

QIJALJ FICATION OF VOTERS 
A N‘D H h T\ J RALI’ZAT'i ON. 
ELECTION DISTRICTS , 

AND 


. POLITICAL CALENDAR FOR ,i%tJ 


I 899. 



PRjiPAKRjft »v 
H;CHARI) l.. GAY, 
iio'Vro • •, Mass. 


































LAWS 

OF THE 

(£ommonwealtb of /Iftassacbusetts 

RELATING TO 

POLITICAL COMMITTEES, 

. CAUCUSES, 
CONVENTIONS, 

AND THE 

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES, 

WITH AN APPENDIX 
CONTAINING SECTIONS RELATING TO 

CORRUPT PRACTICES, 

INFORMATION AS TO 

QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS 
AND NATURALIZATION, 
ELECTION DISTRICTS 

AND 

A ^POLITICAL CALENDAR FOR 1899. 






41811 

Copyright 1899 


By Richard L. Gay 


vvj copies 






second aopy, 





^V~V=b4 






\ ,1^14 


CONTENTS 


Page 

Summary of Changes made in the Caucus La%vs by 


the Legislature of 1809.5 

Act to Revise and Codify tlie Laws Relative to 

Elections .9 

General Provisions.9 

Definition of Terms.9 

Criminal Prosecutions.11 

Registration of Voters before a Caucus.12 

Voting Lists for use at a Caucus.12 

Political Committees ... . 13 

State Committee.13 

City, Ward and Town Committees.14 

Rules and Regulations.16 

Provisions applying to all Caucuses of Political 
Parties throughout the State.16, 41 to 59 

Provisions applying to Caucuses of Political Parties 
except in Boston, etc. 21 

Provisions applying to Caucuses of Political Parties 
in Boston, etc.23 

Calling of Caucuses.25 

Preparation of Polling Places.26 

Notices.27 

Nomination Papers relating to Caucuses.27 

Preparation and Form of Ballots.32 

Manner of Voting.34 

Delivery of Ballots.35 

Conduct of Caucuses.35 

Counting of Ballots.36 

Recount of Ballots .38 

Caucus Officers..39 

Nomination of Candidates.41 

Conventions.42 

Nomination Papers relating to an Election ... 43 
Certificates of Nomination and Nomination Papers 45 
Inquests in Caucus, Convention and Election Cases 52 . 

Penalties.52 

Upon Officers.52 

Upon Voters.54 

General Penalties.54 

Index. 60 

Appendix.following after page 77 



Sections Relating to Corrupt Practices, 
Qualifications of Voters and Naturalization, 
Election Districts in Massachusetts, 
Massachusetts Political Ca lendar, 1899. ' . 












































SUMMARY OF CHANGES 

MADE IN THE CAUCUS LAWS 

BY THE LEGISLATURE OF 1899. 


All new provisions are printea in italics. 

Changes applying to All Caucuses throughout the 
Commonwealth. 

In Section 82 the following words are stricken 
out: 

“Except that whenever a ward committee shall be 
elected between the first day of January and the 
first day of June, the members thereof shall hold 
office for one year from the first day of June next 
following their election and until their successors 
shall have organized.” 

The effect of this is to provide that the term of 
office of all ward and town committees shall com¬ 
mence on the first day of January. 

To make this effective the following paragraph is 
added at theen^l of Section 82: 

“ The term of office of members of all ward committees 
existing at the date when this act takes effect (May 8) 
shall expire on the thirty-first day of December, 1899.” 




6 


Section 82 is further amended by inserting after 
the word “each” in the third paragraph (see page 14) 
the words “ ward and,” obliging ward as well as city 
committees to organize within thirty days from the 
beginning of their term of office, January first. 

In Section 85, at the end of the first paragraph, 
wherein it is provided that State, city and town 
committees may make rules, etc., the following words 
are added: 

“And may fix the number of persons of whom it 
shall consist.” 

In Section 96, at the end, the following words 
are added: 

No person shall serve as a caucus officer at any cau¬ 
cus in which he is a candidate for membership in a 
ward or town committee, or for an elective office 

At the end of Section 98 an entirely new provi¬ 
sion is added as follows : 

“If it shall appear upon a recount that persons were 
nominated or elected other than those declared to have 
been nominated or elected ’ certificates of such change shall 
be made as in the case of the original certificate” 

As amended the provisions of Sections 96 and 98 
will be essentially the same as those applying to 
Boston. These sections are therefore considered 
as applying to all caucuses. 

* See definition of caucus offices page 9, and elective office page 10. 



7 


Changes applying to Caucuses in Boston and Cities 
and Towns adopting the Boston Act. 

In Section 87, in two places, the words “except in 
Boston ” are inserted. (See page 17.) 

As amended, all delegates to conventions and can¬ 
didates for representatives must be chosen at one 
caucus. 

Section 102, after the word “party” the following 
words are added: “for the choice of a political com¬ 
mittee in cities ,” so as to read: “All such caucuses of 
a political party for the choice of a political committee 
in cities * * * shall be held on the same da)etc. 

Several lines in same section providing for more 
than one caucus are stricken out. (See page 25.) 

Section 124, first paragraph, words “and within 
three feet of the rail” stricken out, so that it shall 
read: “Sec. 124. —Immediately after the polls are 
declared closed, but not before, the ballots shall be 
counted in full view of the voters.” 

Section 126, at end of same, the following words 
are added: 

“If it shall appear upon a recount that persons were 
nominated or elected other than those declared to have 
been nominated or elected, certificates of such change shall 
be made as in the case of the original certificates .” 

Section 137 (relating to the calling of conven¬ 
tions) at the end thereof is added these words: 
“and all such conve 7 itions shall be called for a date not 
later than forty-eight hours prior to the hour for filing 
certificates of nomination as provided in section one 
hundred and forty five of thisact! 


8 


Changes in Sections relating to Assessments in 
Boston. (Acts of 1899, Chap. 361.) 

Section i6 of Chapter 548 of the acts of 1898 is amended 
by inserting after the word “ them ” in the sixteenth line the 
words: 

“ In Boston the assessors shall, by themselves or the assistant 
assessors, in making the lists of male persons liable to be assessed 
for a poll tax, and of the women voters, as above provided, pro¬ 
ceed as follows:—Two assessors or two assistant assessors, not 
being of the same political party, shall together visit every build¬ 
ing and verify each other s work upon the spot, and the names 
of the male persons liable to be assessed, and of the women 
voters, as above provided, shall be written down at evsry build¬ 
ing upon the spot in the books furnished by the assessors, before 
the next building is visited 

Section 21 of the same chapter is amended by adding after 
the word “ provided ” in the fifth line, the words : 

“And shall cause to be printed in some newspaper published in 
Boston the name and residence of each person thus assessed or 
certified, together with the names and residences of the two wit¬ 
nesses who have testified for such person. The names and resi¬ 
dences of such persons and witnesses shall be printed, as above 
provided, within two days after the number of names of persons 
thus assessed or certified, not printed, reaches fifty and on the 
day when such number is reached the names to be printed within 
such two days shall include the names of all such persons and 
\witnesses up to the close of business in the office of the assessors 
on such day. The names and residences of the persons thus 
assessed or certified shall be printed in Roman type and im¬ 
mediately following each of such names shall be printed in 
Italic type, the names and residences of the two witnesses who 
have testified for such person. The names of such persons and 
witnesses shall be arranged and printed, as above provided, by 
wards and precincts 


9 


AN ACT 

TO 

REVISE AND CODIFY THE LAWS 
RELATIVE TO ELECTIONS. 

[Acts of 1898, Chap. 548.] 


Be it enacted\ etc., as follows : 

TITLE I. 

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. 

Definition of Terms. 

Section i. Terms used in this act and in statutes 
relating to elections shall, unless other meaning is clearly 
apparent from the language or context, or unless they 
are inconsistent with the manifest intent of the legisla¬ 
ture, be construed as follows: 

“ Caucus ” shall apply to any public meeting of the 
voters of a ward of a city, or of a town, or of a represent¬ 
ative district held under this act for the nomination of a 
candidate for election, for the selection of delegates to 
a political convention, or for the appointment of a politi¬ 
cal committee. * 

“ Caucus officers ” shall apply to chairmen, wardens, 
secretaries, clerks and inspectors, and, when on duty, to 
additional officers specially elected, or elected to fill a 
vacancy, and taking part in the conduct of caucuses. 




10 


“City election” shall apply to any election held in 
a city for the choice of a city officer by the voters whether 
for a full term or for the filling of a vacancy. 

“ City officer ” shall apply to any person to be chosen 
by the voters at a city election. 

“Elective office” shall apply to any office to be 
filled by the voters at any state, city or town election. 

“Official ballot” shall mean a ballot prepared for 
any election or caucus by public authority and at public 
expense. 

“Political committee” shall apply only to a com¬ 
mittee elected in pursuance of this act. 

“Political convention” shall apply only to such a 
convention called and held in pursuance of this act. 

“Political party” shall apply to a party which at 
the preceding annual state election polled for governor 
at least three per cent, of the entire vote cast in the 
Commonwealth for that office. 

“ Polling place ” shall apply to a room or place pro¬ 
vided by a city or town for an election or caucus. 

“Presiding officer” shall apply to the warden or 
chairman at a caucus, to the warden, chairman of the 
selectmen, moderator or town clerk in charge of a polling 
place at an election, or to a justice of the peace acting as 
moderator at a town meeting; or, in the absence of any 
such officer, to the deputy warden or the clerk or senior 
inspector or senior selectman present who shall have 
charge of a polling place. 

“Registrars” shall mean the board of registrars of 
voters of a city or town or the board of election commis¬ 
sioners of the city of Boston when applicable. 

“State election” shall apply to any election held 
for the choice of a national, state, district or county 


11 


officer by the voters, whether for a full term or for the 
filling of a vacancy. 

i ‘State officer” shall apply to any person to be 
chosen at a state election. 

“Town election” shall apply to any meeting held 
for the election of town officers by the voters, whether 
for a full term or for the filling of a vacancy. 

“ Town elections or meetings at which official 
ballots are used ” shall be construed to mean town 
elections or meetings in towns to which section three 
hundred and sixty applies.* 

“Town officer” shall apply to any person to be 
chosen at a town meeting. 

“ Two leading political parties ” shall apply to the 
political parties which cast the highest and next highest 
number of votes for governor at the preceding annual 
state election. 


Criminal Prosecutions. 

Section ii. In any criminal prosecution for the 
violation of any law relating to caucuses or elections, if 
the defendant relies upon the invalidity, irregularity, or 
informality of any caucus or election, or upon the failure 
or neglect of any officer or person to do or perform any 


* TOWN ELECTIONS AT WHICH OFFICIAL BALLOTS ARE USED. 

Section 360. A town may, a meeting called for the purpose, 
vote that official ballots shall thereafter be used therein; and may, at 
the annual meeting or at a meeting so called and held at least thirty days 
before the annual town meeting, by a two thirds vote rescind such action. 

In town elections at which official ballots are used, nominations for 
town officers elected by ballot shall be made, ballots and other apparatus 
therefor provided, and elections of such officers conducted, in accord¬ 
ance with the provisions of this chapter so far as applicable thereto. 





12 


Registration 
etc., to be 
deemed 
regular in 
criminal 
prosecutions 


act or thing whatsoever in relation to any 
caucus or election, or matters or things 
pertaining thereto, he shall prove such 
invalidity, irregularity, informality, failure 
or neglect; and until such proof the pre¬ 
sumption shall be that such caucus or election was valid 
and regular, and that such officer or person acted as 
prescribed by law; and the testimony of the clerk of the 
city or town, wherein it is alleged that such election was 
held, or of the presiding officer, secretary or clerk of such 
caucus, that such election or caucus was actually held, 
shall be prima facie evidence that the same was regularly 
and duly held; but the validity or regularity of such 
caucus or election may also be proved in any other legal 
manner. 


Registration of Voters before a Caucus. 

Section 37. The registrars shall hold at least one 
session at some suitable and convenient 
hofdone^ t0 pl ace in every city or town on or before 
session for the Saturday last preceding the first cau- 
before 1 ^* 011 Cus P recec ^ n g the annual state election, 
caucus. to give an opportunity to qualified voters 

to register. 


Voting Lists for Use at Caucuses. 

Section 68. The registrars, whenever a caucus is 
called shall, on request of the person designated to call 

Voting lists caucus t0 or( ier, furnish him for use 

for use at in the caucus a certified copy of the 

caucus to be voting list of the town, or of the ward 

- Registrars. of the Clt y for which the caucus is to be 

held, as last published, adding thereto 
the names of voters registered since such publication. 


13 


TITLE III. 

1. POLITICAL COMMITTEES. 

State Committee. 


Section 8i. Each political party shall annually elect 
a state committee, the members of which shall hold office 
for one year from the first day of January 
next following their election and until 
their successors shall have organized. 
Said committee shall consist of at least 
one member from each senatorial dis¬ 
trict, who shall be elected at the con¬ 
vention held for the nomination of a 
candidate for senator to be voted for in said district at 
the annual state election. 

The members of the state committee 
shall, in the month of January, meet and 
organize by the choice of a chairman, a 
secretary and a treasurer, and such other 
officers as they may decide to elect. 

The secretary of the state committee 

organization s h a n within ten days of such organiza- 
to be tiled, etc. ’ , ... r . „ 

tion, file with the secretary of the Com¬ 
monwealth, and send to each city and town committee, a 
list of the members of the committee and of its officers. 

A vacancy in the office of chairman, 
vacancies. secretary or treasurer of the Committee 
or in the membership thereof shall be 
filled by the committee, and a statement of any such- 
change shall be filed as in the case of the officers first 
chosen. 


State 

committee to 
be elected 
annually. 

term of office, 
how 

constituted. 


when 

organized 

officers. 


14 


City, Ward and Town Committees. 


Ward and 
town 

committees to 
be chosen. 


Section 82. Each political party shall, in every 
ward and town, annually elect a committee to be called 
a ward or a town committee, to consist 
of not less than three persons, who shall 
hold office for one year from the first day 
of January next following their election 
and until their successors shall have 

# 

organized, [except that, whenever a ward committee shall 
be elected between the first day of January and the first 
day of June, the members thereof shall hold office for 
one year from the first day of June next 
following their election and until their 
successors shall have organized.] 

The members of the several ward 
committees of a political party in a city 
shall constitute a committee to be called 
a city committee. 

Each town committee shall annually, 
between the first day of January and the 
tfirst day of March, and each city com¬ 
mittee shall, within thirty days from the 
beginning of their term of office, meet 
and organize by the choice of a chairman, a secretary 
and a treasurer, and such other officers as they may 
decide to elect. 


term of office. 


city com¬ 
mittee bow 
constituted. 


committees 
wben and 
bow 

organized. 


wben and 
witb whom 
list of 

members and 
organizations 
to be filed. 


The secretary of each city and town 
committee shall, within ten days after 
their organization, file with the secretary 
of the Commonwealth, with the city or 
town clerk, and with the secretary of the 
state committee of the political party 


* Words in brackets stricken out. 

t Insert after the word “each” in this line the words “ward and” 
Sec. 1 , chap. 346 Acts of 1899. 



15 


which they represent, a list of the officers and members 
of the committee. 


A vacancy in the office of chairman, 
vacancies secretary or treasurer of a city, ward, or 
statement Of town committee shall be filled by the 
changes filed, committee, and a vacancy in the member¬ 
ship of a town or ward committee shall 
be filled by such committee, and a statement of any such 
change shall be filed as in the case of the officers first 
chosen. * 

Section 83. In case of a re-division of a city into 
wards, any political party may in the next succeeding 
calendar year elect its ward committees, 
ward* 011 ° f ft to serve f° r suc h terms, not exceeding 
committee in the length of the terms for which the 
a re-div.sion former committees were chosen, as the 
wards. city committee existing at the time of 

calling the caucuses may determine, and 
thereafter shall elect such committees at the times and 
for the terms prescribed by law. 

The caucuses for the choice of such 


clt y ward committees shall be called by the 

committee to ... . . 

call caucuses, city committee in existence at th« time, 

and shall be subject to such reasonable 
notice as said city committee shall determine. 

Section 84. Committees of any party existing at 
the time when such party at an annual state election 
first polls for governor three per cent, 
of the entire vote cast in the Common- 
to i»e deemed wealth for that office shall be deemed 
organized. to or g an i ze( j under these provisions. 


Committees 


* Add the words : “ The term of office of members of all ward commit¬ 
tees existing at the date when this act takes effect shall expire on the thirty- 
first day of December in the year eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.” 

Sec 1, chap. 346 Acts of 1899. Passed May 8. 





16 


Rules and Regulations. 

Section 85. A state, city or town committee may 
make rules and regulations, not inconsist¬ 
ent with law, for its proceedings and 
relative to caucuses called by it.* Each 
town or city committee may make reason¬ 
able regulations, not inconsistent with 
law, to determine membership in the 
party, and to restrain those not entitled 
to vote at caucuses from attendance 
thereaf or taking part therein. 

But no political committee shall pre¬ 
vent any voter from participating in a 
caucus of its party for the reason that the 
voter has supported an independent can¬ 
didate for political office. 


Committees 
may make 
rules for tkcir 
conduct, and 
regulations 
for caucuses, 
to determine 
membership, 
etc. 


independent 
voter not to 
be excluded 
from 
caucuses. 


2 . Provisions Applying to All Caucuses of 
Political Parties throughout the State. 


Section 86 

Except as 
provided in 
this act no 
caucus 
entitled to 
nominate 
candidates, 
etc. 


in districts of 
more than one 
town or ward. 


Except as provided in this act no 
caucus or meeting shall be entitled to 
nominate a candidate for public office 
whose name shall be placed on the offi¬ 
cial ballot, or to elect delegates to a polit¬ 
ical convention for the nomination of 
such candidate or to choose a political 
committee. 

Except nominations for the office of 
representative in the general court, no 
nomination of a candidate to be voted for 
in an electoral district or division con¬ 


taining more than one town or more than one ward of a 
city shall be made by a caucus. 

* Insert after the word “ it ” the words: “ and may fix the number of 
persons of whom it shall consist.” Sec. i, chap. 329 Acts of 1899. 



17 


Section 87. All caucuses of political parties (except 
for special elections) for choice of delegates to political 
conventions which nominate candidates to be voted for 


Caucuses 
relating to 
state 

conventions 
to be held on 
one of two 
consecutive 
days. 

all delegates 
to be chosen 
at one caucus. 


at the annual state election, and for the 
nomination of candidates to be voted for 
at such election, shall be held throughout 
the Commonwealth on one of two con¬ 
secutive days, designated by the state 
committee of the political party for which 
said caucuses are held; and all of said 
delegates shall be elected and all of said 
candidates shall be nominated at one 


exceptions. 


caucus, except that caucuses held for 
choice of delegates to a representative 
district convention, or for nomination of candidates for 
the general court, may*be called and held as hereinafter 
provided. 

Such caucuses shall be held at the 
call of the state committee of the political 
party whose caucuses are to be held, and 
the chairman and secretary of the state 
committee of each political party shall at 
least twenty-one days before the date on 
which the caucuses are to be held for- 


State 

committee 
sball 
designate 
dates 21 days 
before 
caucuses are 
to be beld. 


ward a copy of the call, with designations of dates to the 
chairman and secretary of each city and town committee 
of their party, and they shall at the same 
time designate two other consecutive days, 
which shall be at least seven days later 
than the designation above provided, as 
dates on which*caucuses may be held for 
choice of delegates to a representative district convention, 
or for nomination of candidates for the general court. 


may name 
other days for 
caucuses 
relative to 
candidates for 
general court. 


# Insert after the word “ may ” ; also again after the word “which” 
the words : “ except in Boston.” Sec. 2, chap. 346 Acts of 1899. 







18 


city or town 
committee to 
determine 
which days. 


represent¬ 

ative 

conventions 
not to he held 
earlier than a 
certain date. 

No two 
parties to 
hold caucuses 
same day. 


Each city or town committee shall 
determine on which one of said two dates 
such representative caucuses shall be held 
in their city or town. 

No representative conventions shall be 
held at a date earlier than fifteen days after 
the latest date designated by the state 
committee for holding caucuses for the 
choice of delegates to the state convention. 

Section 88. No two political parties 
shall hold such caucuses on the same 
day. 


The party first filing with the secre- 
Xiingcopyof tary of the Commonwealth the copy of 
call entitled the call as above provided shall be en- 
to precedence. to precedence on the days named. 

Section 89. Caucuses relative to a special election 
shall be held at such time and place and subject to such 
reasonable notice as the political com¬ 
mittee whose duty it is to provide for 
holding the same may determine. All 
calls for the same shall be issued by the chairman and 
secretary of said political committee. 

No caucus Section 90 . Every caucus of a polit- 

vaiid unless ical party shall be called by a written or 
called by printed notice. No caucus of a political 

printed ° r party not so called shall be recognized as 
notice. valid under this title. 


Special 

caucuses 


Section 91 . 

To whom 
notices apply. 


Notices for caucuses shall apply to all 
members of the political party calling 
them and to them only. 


19 


persons 
voting in 
caucus of one 
party cannot 
vote in that 
of another 
within twelve 
months. 


No person having voted in the caucus 
of one political party shall be entitled to 
vote or take part in the caucus of another 
political party within the ensuing twelve 
months. 


no voter to he 
prevented 
from voting 
in a caucus if 
he takes an 
oath. 


No registered voter shall be prevented 
from voting or participating in any cau¬ 
cus if he takes the following oath, which 
shall be administered to him by the pre¬ 
siding officer of the caucus: 


You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you are a registered voter 
in this ward (or town) and have the legal right to vote in this caucus; 

that you are a member of the political party holdiug 
Oath. * the same, and intend to vote for its candidates at 

the polls at the election next ensuing; and that you 
have not taken part or voted in the caucus of any other political party 
for twelve months last past. 


voter may he 
challenged, 
cannot vote 
until oath is 
taken. 


record to be 
made. 


Such voter may be challenged like any 
other voter. Any person whose right to 
vote is challenged for any cause recog¬ 
nized by law shall not be permitted to 
vote until he has taken the foregoing 
oath; and the clerk or secretary of the 
caucus shall make a record of the administration of said 
oath to every person who takes the same, which record 
shall state whether or not said person voted, 
record to be Said recor ^ shall be returned with the 

prima facie proceedings of said caucus and shall be 

evidence. prima facie evidence in any court that 

such person took said oath and voted in said caucus. 

Section 92. In balloting, the voting lists furnished 
Voting lists to un der the provisions of section sixty- 
be used as eight of this act shall be used as check 

check lists. lists 





20 


Plurality to 
elect. 


In case of a 
tie vote for 
delegates 
to a 

convention 


no person to No person shall be entitled to vote or 

vote, etc., tQ take par t i n a caucus whose name 
whose name r 

is not on list, does not appear upon said lists. 

Section 93. The persons receiving the highest num¬ 
ber of votes in a caucus shall be declared 
elected or nominated. 

If there is a tie vote for delegates to 
a convention, or a place unfilled in a 
delegation, or a vacancy occasioned by 
inability or neglect of a delegate elected 
to attend a convention, such vacancies 
shall be filled only by vote of the remaining members of 
the delegation at a meeting called for the purpose. Such 
meeting shall choose a chairman and secretary, and the 
secretary shall notify the secretary of the convention of 
the action taken relative to such vacancy. 

If there is a tie vote for members of a 
town -or ward committee, or for caucus 
officers, the members oV caucus officers 
elected shall fill the vacancy. 

If a majority of a delegation, of a 
ward or town committee, or of caucus 
officers is not elected, or there is a tie 
vote for candidates for an elective office, 
the caucus shall at once proceed to 
another ballot, unless some one present 
entitled to vote objects; in which case 
the caucus shall adjourn to any subse¬ 
quent day. The hour and place shall, if practicable, be 
the same as that named in the call. 

Section 94. The presiding officer and secretary or 
clerk of each caucus shall within three week days after 


for town or 
ward 

committee, or 
caucus 
officers. 


when 
majority is 
not elected, or 
there is a tie 
vote for 
candidates 
for elective 
office. 


21 


Certificates of 
election to be 
sent to all 
delegates, 
etc., witliin 
three days 
after caucus 
is held. 


its final adjournment deliver or send to 
each delegate to a political convention, 
to each member of a political committee, 
and to each caucus officer a certificate of 
his election, and to each candidate for an 
elective office a notice of his nomination. 


Polling 
places be 
provided 
without 
expense. 


3. Provisions Applying to Caucuses of Political 
Parties Except in Boston and in 
Certain Cities and Towns. 

Section 95. At least two weeks prior to the date on 
which caucuses are to be held, the chairman or secretary 
of the city or town committee shall notify 
the aldermen or the selectmen respect¬ 
ively of such date, and said aldermen or 
selectmen shall, at the expense of the 
city or town, provide polling places for 
said caucuses, in case of a city not less than one for each 
ward; and shall, at least ten days prior to the date of 
said caucus, give said chairman or secretary notice of 
the places so provided. 

Section 96. Notices of caucuses, signed by the 
chairman and secretary, shall be issued by each city and 
town committee not less than seven days 
prior to the day on which they are to be 
held. The notices shall state the place 
where, and the day and hour when, the 
several caucuses are to be held. They 
shall be conspicuously posted in at least 
five places on the highways or streets, 
and, if practicable, in every post-office in 
the city or town, or shall be published at 


Notices of 
caucuses to be 
issued by each 
city and town 
committee 
seven days 
prior to day 
of bolding. 

to be posted 
and 

published. 





22 


hour of least twice in one or more local news- 

later’ttiau 4 papers, if there are any. The hour fixed 

8 p. m. for calling the caucus to order shall not 

be later than eight o’clock in the evening. 

The notice shall designate by name 
temporary or 0 ffi ce the person who shall call such 
chairman. caucus to order; and he shall preside 

until a chairman is chosen. If he is absent at the time 
appointed, any member of the ward or town committee 
present shall call the caucus to order and preside until a 
chairman is chosen. 

organization The first business in order shall be 
first in order, the choice of a chairman, a secretary, 
and such other officers as the meeting may determine. * 
Section 97. A ballot shall be taken 
for the choice of any candidate, delegate, 
or member of a political committee, to be 
selected by such caucus, and the polls 
shall be kept open at least thirty minutes. 
The secretary of each caucus shall 


Ballot to be 
taken, 
polls 

to be open 
thirty 
minutes. 

Section 98. 


Secretary of 
caucus to 
keep ballots 
ten days, also 
three months 
upon request 
often voters. 


preserve for ten days all ballots cast and all voting lists 
used at the caucus. If during said time 
ten voters entitled to vote in said caucus 
shall file with him a written request so 
to do, he shall preserve said ballots 
and voting lists for three months, and 
shall produce the same, if required by 
any court of justice or convention having jurisdiction or 
authority over the same. 

^ If within three week days after any 

contest, etc., caucus a person who has received votes 
to be made thereat for nomination or election to any 
weekdftys** office, delegation, or political committee 


* Add the werds: “No person shall serve as a caucus officer at any cau¬ 
cus in which he is a candidate for membership in a ward or town committee, 
for an elective office, or for a nomination to an elective office. 

Sec. 2, chap. 329 Act3 of 1899. 




23 


shall file a statement in writing with the secretary of 
said caucus claiming an election or nomination, or de¬ 
claring an intention to contest the election or nomina¬ 
tion of any other person, the secretary shall preserve 
the ballots for such nomination or office until the claim 


or contest is finally determined. 

chairman and The secretary shall immediately give . 

notice in writing to the persons affected, 
fixing a time within twenty-four hours 
thereafter and a place at which said 
ballots will be recounted, and the chair¬ 
man and secretary of the caucus shall, 
at said time and place, recount said ballots and deter¬ 
mine the questions raised. 

Each candidate affected may be pres- 
agent mly°be ent durin S such recount, or may be repre- 
present. sented by an agent appointed by him in 

writing. * 


secretary of 
caucus to 
recount 
ballots 
witliin 24 
hours after 
notice. 


4. Provisions applying to Caucuses of Political 
Parties in Boston and Certain Cities and 
Towns accepting said Provisions. 


Section 99. All caucuses of a political party in the 
city of Boston for the choice of caucus officers, of 
delegates to any political convention, or 
of a political committee, or of candi¬ 
dates for any state or city election, and 
all such caucuses in any city or town held 
by a political party which has therein 
adopted this and the following thirty- 
two sections, or the corresponding pro¬ 
visions of earlier laws, shall be called 
and held as hereinafter provided. 


Caucuses lu 
Boston and 
cities and 
towns 
wherein a 
political 
party has 
adopted 
sections 90 to 
131 to be held 
as therein 
provided. 


* Add the words: “ If it shall appear upon a recount that persons were 
nominated or elected other than those declared to have been nominated or 
elected, certificates of such change shall be made as in the case of the original 
certificate. Sec. 3, chap. 329 Acts of 1899. 






24 


Political 
parties in 
cities and 
towns may 
adopt special 
provisions of 
said sections. 


Section ioo. Any city or town committee shall, at 
the written request of fifty voters, members of its party, 
call caucuses of said party to determine 
by ballot whether the special provisions 
of this act applying to caucuses of polit¬ 
ical parties in Boston and certain cities 
and towns shall be adopted by said polit¬ 
ical party in the city or town. The 
notice of said caucus shall state the purpose for which it 
is. called, the place, the day and the hour, not earlier than 
six o’clock and not later than half-past seven o’clock in 
the evening, of holding said caucus. It shall be issued 
at least seven days prior to the day named therefor, and 
shall be published at least twice in one or more local 
newspapers, if there are any, and shall be posted in at 
least five public places in each ward or town. The polls 
shall be kept open at least one hour. If said caucuses 
shall vote to adopt said provisions, all caucuses of said 
political party in said city or town shall thereafter be 
called and conducted accordingly. 

Section ioi. A political party in a city or town 
which has accepted said special provisions may, not less 
than one year after the date of the caucus 

Acceptance 

may i>e wherein such provisions were adopted, 

revoked after revoke such action at a caucus called 
and held in the manner provided in the 
preceding section. Upon the adoption of said provisions 
or upon the revocation of such adoption, the secretary of 
the city or town committee of such political party shall, 
within ten days thereafter, file with the secretary of the 
Commonwealth and with the clerk of the city or town 
and the secretary of the state committee of the political 
party so voting, a notice thereof. 


25 


Calling of Caucuses. 


Caucuses 
relating to 
city or town 
elections to 
be beld on 
same day. 
exceptions. 


Section 102. All such caucuses of a political party* 
for the choice of candidates for a city or town election, 
and for the choice of delegates to a con¬ 
vention to nominate candidates for such 
election, except caucuses relating to a 
special election, shall be held on the same 
day in each city and town; [but caucuses 
for the choice of delegates to a conven¬ 
tion to nominate candidates to be voted for by the city 
or town at large may be held upon a different day from 
the other caucuses.]! 

[All caucuses for the choice of a polit¬ 
ical committee shall be held on the same 
day, or such committee may be chosen at 
the caucuses held for the choice of can¬ 
didates to be voted for at a city or town election.]! 

The city or town committee shall fix 
city or town the days for holding all caucuses men- 
connmttees to t j Qne( j j n ^jg section, and all calls for the 

same shall be issued by its chairman and 


caucuses for 
choice of a 
political 
©ommittee. 


fix days and 
issue calls. 


no two parties 
to bold 
caucuses 
same day. 

party first 
filing copy of 
call entitled 
to precedence. 


secretary. 

No two political parties shall hold their 
caucuses on the same day. 

The party first filing a copy of the call 
for a caucus with the city or town clerk, 
or in Boston with the board of election 
commissioners, shall be entitled to pre¬ 
cedence as to the day so fixed. 


* Insert after the word “ party ” the words : “ for the choice of a poli¬ 
tical committee in cities.” t Words in brackets stricken out. 

Sec. 3, chap. 346 Acts of 1899. 





26 


Section 103. In Boston no caucus 
for the choice of candidates or of dele¬ 
gates to a convention to nominate can¬ 
didates for a city election, except caucuses 
relating to special elections, shall be called 
for a date earlier than seven days after 
the annual state election. 

Section 104. Notices of caucuses in 
said cities or towns shall state the place 
where, and the day and hour prior to 
which, nomination papers shall be filed, 
and the day on which the several cau¬ 
cuses will be held, and shall be issued 
not less than eighteen days prior thereto. 


Preparation of Polling Places. 

Section 105. At least two weeks prior to the day 
named for a caucus the chairman or secretary of the city 
or town committee shall give notice of 
Polling such d ate to t ] ie aldermen or to the 

places to toe , . , , 

provided at selectmen, or in Boston to the election 
the expense of commissioners, who shall, at least ten 
town. ty ° r days prior to such date, notify the city or 
town committee of the places selected for 
holding the caucuses, and shall, at the expense of the 
city or town, provide polling places, in a city not less 
than one for each ward, and furnish them with booths, 
registering ballot boxes, guard rails and the like, as they 
are arranged for state elections. 


In Boston no 
caucus 
relating to a 
city election 
to toe called 
earlier than 
seven days 
after annual 
state election. 


Notices to toe 
issued 

eighteen days 

toefore 

caucus. 

to state when 
and where 
nomination 
papers shall 
be tiled. 






27 


Of t°wen e ty”five When twenty-five voters of a ward or 
voters to be °t a town shall request in writing at 

arranged for least twelve days before any caucus of 
liiie”” 111 tVS ° the Poetical party to which they belong, 
the aldermen or selectmen shall so 
arrange the polling place of such ward or town as to 
allow voting to proceed in two or more lines at the 
caucus. 

Notices. 


Section 106. At least seven days prior to the day 
named for a caucus, the city or town 
committee shall issue a notice that such 
caucus will be held, stating the place, 
the day and the hour of holding the 
hour not to be same. The hour shall not be earlier 
P^Srior* 11 * than tvv0 0 ’ c l° ck in the afternoon, nor 
later than half-past seven o’clock in the 
evening. 

Notices relative to the filing of nomi¬ 
nation papers or for caucuses shall be 
published at least twice in one or more 
local newspapers if there are any. 


A second 
notice to be 
issued seven 
days before 
caucus. 


later than 
T.30 P. M. 


notice to be 
published. 


Nomination Papers Relating to Caucuses. 
Section 107. The city or town shall provide, and 
the city or town clerk or election com¬ 
missioners shall seasonably prepare, for 
each political party, blank nomination 
papers for use in the different wards of 
the city or in the town. Such papers 
shall state the place where, and the day 
and hour prior to which, signed nomi¬ 
nation papers shall be filed. 


Blank 
nomination 
papers to be 
provided, etc. 

to state day, 
place and 
time of tiling, 
etc. 



28 


On the back of each, sections one hundred and eight 
to one hundred and fourteen inclusive, of this act, shall 
be printed. 

to be They shall be delivered to the chair- 

chairman or man or secretary of the political com- 
poYm^aicom- m i ttee f° r whose use they have been 
mittee only. prepared, and to no other person. 

Section 108. Nominations of candidates for elective 
offices, for delegates to a convention, for 
caucus officers, and for a ward or town 
committee to be voted for at a caucus, 
shall be made by nomination papers, as 
hereinafter provided. 

Such papers shall be signed in person 
by at least five legal voters of the ward 
or town in which the caucus is to be 
held, who shall be members of the polit¬ 
ical party holding the caucus, and who 
shall add to their signatures the street 
and number, if any, of their residences. 

Nomination papers shall not contain 
a larger number of names of candidates 
than there are persons to be elected. 

No nomination paper offered for filing 
shall be received or be valid unless the 
written acceptance of every candidate 
thereby nominated shall be filed therewith. 

No vacancy caused by the death, 
withdrawal or ineligibility of any of the 
above candidates shall be filled in the 
manner now provided by law, unless the person entitled 
to fill such vacancy shall file the written acceptance of 
the candidate who is nominated to fill the vacancy. 


Nominations 
to be made by 
nomination 
papers. 


papers to be 
signed, by five 
legal voters, 
members of 
the party. 

signers to add 
residence. 

number of 

names 

limited. 

written 
acceptance of 
every 

candidate to 
be filed. 


vacancies. 






29 


Section 109. The nomination paper for an elective 
office shall give the name of the candidate, the street 
and number, if any, of his residence, 
and may, in not more than eight words, 
state his occupation, the public offices 
he has held, or any other information 
whereby his identity may be established, 
and his qualifications for the office to be 
filled, or his position on any public 
measure. 

The nomination paper of a candidate 
for a caucus office or for a ward or town 
committee shall state the street and num¬ 
ber, if any, of his residence. 

There may be added to the name of a 
person proposed as a delegate to a con¬ 
vention, a statement of not more than 
eight words that he is favorable to, or is 
pledged to support, or to oppose, any 
person for an office to be filled, or is 
favorable to, or opposed to, any public measure, or is 
uncommitted. 

Section iio. All nomination papers shall be sealed 
up and filed in the office of the secretary of the city or 
town committee not less than ten week 
days previous to the day on which the 
caucus is to be held for which the 
nominations are made, and the secretary 
shall endorse upon them the time at 
which they are received by him. 

They shall not be opened until the 
time for their filing has expired, when the 
secretary, at his office, shall publicly 


I information 
relative to a 
candidate for 
an elective 
office may l>e 
given in not 
more than 
eight words. 


residence of 
caucus 
officers, etc., 
to l»e given. 

personal 
preferences of 
candidates 
for delegates 
may be given 
in not more 
titan eight 
words. 


Papers to be 
filed with 
seci’etary ten 
week days 
previous to 
caucus, 
time received 
by him to be 
endorsed on 
same. 

to be publicly 
opened and 
announced. 







30 


In case of 
error. 


In case of 
lion-receipt 
in a city. 


open them and publicly announce the nominations 
therein made. 

Section hi. The secretary of the city or town 
committee shall immediately give notice to the person 
filing the nomination paper of any error, 
irregularity or informality appearing 
therein, and such person may, within 
two week days of the time when the nomination papers 
were opened, correct the same, or said secretary may 
make such correction. 

Section i 12. If, in a city, nomination papers placing 
persons in nomination for all the offices to be filled at a 
caucus, in any ward, are not filed, the 
secretary of the city committee shall 
forthwith notify the chairman or secretary i 
of the committee of such ward, who shall ; 
forthwith call a meeting of said committee which may 
nominate candidates for all offices for which nomination j 
papers have not been filed, and shall immediately file I 
with the secretary of the city committee nomination | 
papers signed by all the members of the committee who j 
agree to the nominations therein madfc. In case of dis- \ 
agreement two sets of such nomination papers may be 
filed. If, at the expiration of two week days after the 
time at which nomination papers were opened, proper 
nomination papers have not been filed for all the offices 
to be filled, or upon any vacancy caused by death or 
otherwise, except a withdrawal, the chairman and secre- j 
tary of the city committee may file nomination papers for 
such offices or vacancies. 

Section 113. If, in a town, nomination papers plac- 

in case of ing persons in nomination for all the 

lion-receipt 


in a town. 


offices to be filled at a caucus are not filed, 



31 


In case of 
withdrawal 
by person 
nominated. 


or upon a vacancy by death or otherwise, except a with¬ 
drawal, the chairman or secretary of the town committee 
shall forthwith call a meeting of said committee, which 
shall have all the powers relative to the nomination of 
candidates conferred in the preceding section upon a 
ward committee and the chairman and secretary of a 
city committee. 

Section 114. A person nominated by a nomination 
paper may, within two week days of the announcement 
thereof, file a written withdrawal with 
the secretary of the city or town com¬ 
mittee, who shall immediately give notice 
of such withdrawal and of the provisions 
of this section to the person who filed said nomination 
paper, and he may within twenty-four hours thereafter, 
present a new name on a nomination paper signed by 
himself; otherwise the chairman and secretary of the 
city or town committee may file nomination papers for 
such vacancy. 

Section 115. Not less than seven week days before 
the day upon which the caucuses are to be 
held and before five o’clock in the after¬ 
noon of the last day, the secretary of each 
city or town committee shall deliver to 
the city or town clerk, or in Boston to 
the election commissioners, the nomina¬ 
tion papers filed with him. 

Section 116. If an error or informality is found in 
any nomination paper it shall be forthwith returned to 
the secretary of the committee by whom 
it was filed, for correction; and if it is 
not corrected and again filed before five 
o’clock in the afternoon of the day following its return to 
said secretary, it shall be void. 


Seven week 
days before a 
caucus, papers 
to be sent to 
city or town 
officials, 
before five 
P. M. 


To correct 
errors, etc. 






32 


Preparation and Form of Ballots. 


Section i 

City anti town 
to provide 
and officials 
to prepare 
ballots, 

no others to 
be used. 

in Boston no 
ballots to be 
printed in 
city printing 
office. 

officers of 

committees 

may 

determine 
number of 
ballots. 

in case of 
failure. 


facsimile 
copies for 
each polling 
place. 


17. The city or town shall provide and 
the city or town clerk, or in Boston the 
election commissioners, shall prepare 
ballots to be used in caucuses, in 
accordance with the provisions of this 
act, and no other ballots shall be re¬ 
ceived or counted. 

No ballots as herein provided shall 
be printed in any printing establishment 
owned or managed by the city of Boston. 

The chairman and secretary of the 
city and town committee may determine 
the number of ballots to be provided for 
each ward or town, not exceeding one 
for each registered voter therein. If 
they fail so to do, the city or town clerk, 
or in Boston the election commissioners, 
shall determine the number. 

At least six facsimile copies of the 
ballot, printed on colored paper, shall be 
provided for each polling place as spec¬ 
imen ballots. 


Section 118. At the top of each ballot shall be 
printed the words “ The official ballot of (here shall follow 
the party name).” On the back and 
outside of each ballot when folded shall 
be printed the words “ Official ballot of 
the (here shall be inserted the party 
name),” followed by the number of the 
ward or the name of the town for which 
the ballot is prepared, the date of the 


Form of 
ballot. 

certain words, 
etc., to be 
printed on 
front and 
back. 


33 


caucus and a facsimile of the signature of the secretary 
of the political committee. 

Names of candidates for each elective 

arrange me tit . 

of names on office shall be arranged alphabetically 

ballot. according to their surnames. 


Names of candidates for caucus offi¬ 
cers, for ward or town committees, and 
for delegates to conventions may be 
arranged in groups in the order in which 
they are filed, but shall be arranged 
alphabetically according to their sur¬ 
names whenever written request therefor 
is made to the secretary of the city or 
town committee, by any ward or town committee, or 
whenever the city or town committee so votes. 

Asrainst the name of a candidate for a 


candidates for 
delegates and 
committees 
may be 
grouped or 
arranged 
a lphabeti- 
cally, by 
request. 


residence of 
candidate, 
except for 
delegate, to 
be printed. 


caucus office, for an elective office, or for 
a ward or town committee, shall be printed 
the street and number, if any, of his 
residence. 


information 
about 
candidates 
to be printed. 


Against the name of a candidate for 
an elective office or for a political con¬ 
vention shall be printed the statement 
contained in the nomination paper placing 
him in nomination. 


only names 
d uly 

nominated 
to be printed. 

blank spaces 
for inserting 
other names 
to be provided 


No names shall be printed on a ballot 
other than those presented on nomination 
papers. 

Immediately following the names of 
candidates, blank spaces equal to the 
number of persons to be chosen shall be 
provided for the insertion of other names. 




34 


number to be 
voted for to 
be stated. 

a star (*) 
indicates a 
candidate for 
re-election. 

form and ar¬ 
rangement of 
ballots same 
in general as 
at state 
elections. 


The number of persons to be voted 
for for the different offices shall be stated 
on the ballot. 

A star (*) against a name shall indi¬ 
cate that a person is a candidate for 
re-election. 

The form of ballots and the arrange¬ 
ment of printed matter thereon shall be 
in general the same as that of the official 
state ballots, except as herein otherwise 
provided. 


Manner of Voting. 


A cross (X) 
against a 
name consti¬ 
tutes a vote. 

across at bead 
of group of 
candidates to 
count as vote 
for each. 

candidates 
may be voted 
for singly or 
other names 
inserted. 

if more names 
are marked 
than candi¬ 
dates, vote not 
to be counted. 


Section 119. A cross (X) marked 
against a name shall constitute a vote 
for the person so designated. 

A cross in the circle at the head of an 
entire group of candidates for delegates 
to a convention shall count as a vote for 
each candidate therein. 

A voter may vote for one or more 
candidates in any such group by marking 
a cross against the name of each such 
candidate, or he may insert another name 
and mark a cross against it. 

If he votes for more candidates than 
the number to be elected, his vote shall 
not be counted. 


35 


Delivery of Ballots, Etc. 

Section 120. The city or town clerk, or in Boston 
the election commissioners, before the 
opening of the polls on the day of the 
caucus, shall, at the expense of the city 
or town, prepare and deliver at the polling 
etc., at polling place to the warden or, if he is not pres¬ 
ent, to the clerk, or, if both are absent, 
then to any inspector, ballot boxes, the 
ballots, specimen ballots, voting lists, 
suitable blank forms, and apparatus for 
canvassing and counting the ballots and making the 


City or town 
officials to 
deliver 
ballots, 
voting list, 


place 

blanks, seals, 
and record 
book, etc., to 
be furnished. 


returns, a seal of suitable device, and a record book for 
each polling place. 


six specimen 
ballots to be 
posted in 
polling place. 


The presiding officer at each polling 
place shall, before the opening of the 
caucus, conspicuously post in such polling 
place at least six specimen ballots, to be 
kept so posted until the polls are closed. 


Conduct of Caucuses. 

Section 12i. Caucuses, except as herein otherwise 
provided, shall be held in general accord¬ 
ance with the provisions of law for the 
conduct of elections and the manner of 
voting thereat. 

Section 122. The order of business 
shall be as follows: 

First. Any necessary preliminary business. 

Second. Balloting until half-past eight 
o’clock in the evening, when the polls 
shall be closed unless the caucus shall 


Caucuses to be 
conducted in 
general as at 
elections. 

Order of 
business. 


balloting till 
8.:iO P. M. 
unless time is 
extended. 




36 


voters in line 
must be 
allowed to 
vote. 


vote to keep them open until a later hour; 
but every voter waiting in line at the hour 
fixed for closing the polls shall be allowed 
to vote. 


Third. After the polls are closed, any other business 
properly before the caucus. 

Section 123. If the right of a person offering to 
vote is challenged for any legal cause, the presiding 
if ri^ht of officer shall require him, or some one in 
person to vote his behalf, to write his name and resi¬ 
ts challenged dence on the outside of the ballot offered, 

proceedings . . 

as at general and before it is received the presiding 
elections. officer shall add thereto the name of the 


no officer to person challenging and the cause alleged 
information f° r challenge; but no caucus officer 

in regard to a shall receive any ballot which by law he 
ballot cast. j s re q U i re d to refuse. No officer, or other 
person, shall give any information in regard to a ballot 
cast by a challenged voter unless required by law so to do. 


Counting of Ballots. 

Ballots not to Section 124. Immediately after the 
be counted „ . . , . , r 

till polls are polls are declared closed, but not before, 

infidi viewof ^ ie ballots shall be counted in full view 

voters, within * G f the voters and within three feet of the 

three feet of 

rail. rail. 

When they have been counted and the result has been 
ascertained, the presiding officer shall make public an¬ 
nouncement thereof in open meeting, and 

result to , , , , „ . 

ubiicly the clerk shall, in open meeting, enter in 

)unced. words at length in the record book the 

1 number of names checked on the voting list, the 


I* Strike out the words “ and within three feet of the rail ” 
Sec. 1, chap. 190 Acts of 1899. 



37 


total number of ballots cast, the names of all persons 
voted for, the number of votes for each person, and the 
title of the delegation or office for which he was a 
candidate. 


The clerk shall forthwith make a 


record of 
result to lie 
made and sent 
to city or town 
officials. 

before 

adjournment 
cleric to seal 
up all ballots, 
check lists, 
etc. 


copy of said record, certify and seal the 
same, and transmit it to the city or town 
clerk, or in Boston to the election com¬ 
missioners. He shall then, before the 
adjournment of the caucus, and in the 
presence of those who counted the same, 
seal up all ballots cast, with the voting 
lists used, and a statement of any chal¬ 
lenge which may have been made. 


to make 
endorsements 
of certain 
facts on the 
sealed 
package. 


The warden and clerk shall endorse 
upon such package the name of the polit¬ 
ical party holding the caucus, its date, its 
purpose, and, if in a city, for what ward 
the ballots were cast. The warden shall 


warden to 

transmit 

package. 


forthwith transmit, by the officer detailed 
to attend the caucus, to the city or town 
clerk, or in Boston to the election com¬ 
missioners, the ballots cast, the voting lists, the ballot 
boxes, the ballot box seals, the counting apparatus, the 
copy of the records, and the record book. 

The city or town clerk or election 
commissioners shall safely keep such 
sealed packages for ten days. If within 
said time ten voters entitled to vote in 
said caucus file with them a written re¬ 


officials to 
keep all 
sealed 

packages for 
ten days or 
upon request 


three months, q Ues t so to do, they shall preserve said 
ballots and voting lists for three months 
and shall produce them if required by any court or con¬ 
vention having jurisdiction or authority over the same. 




38 


Section 125. In Boston the board of election com¬ 
missioners, upon written application, 
electi'oi” cum- signed by at least ten voters of a ward, 
missioned to for a copy of the list as checked, may 
of voting ng P t y open the envelope containing the voting 
used at a list used at any caucus in such ward and 

caucus. shall furnish to them a certified copy 

thereof as checked. 


Recount of Ballots. 


Request for 
recount must 
be made 
before 5 P.M. 
of second day 
after caucus, 
by ten or more 
voters. 


Section 126. If before five o’clock in the afternoon 
of the second day next succeeding the day of any caucus 
ten or more qualified voters of any town 
or ward shall sign, adding thereto their 
respective residences on the first day of 
May of that year, and file with the city 
or town clerk, or in Boston with the elec¬ 
tion commissioners, a statement under 
oath that the records and returns made 
by the caucus officers of such town or ward are erroneous, 
specifying the error, or that challenged votes were cast 
by persons not entitled to vote therein, said city or town 
clerk shall forthwith transmit such statement to the reg¬ 
istrars of voters with the sealed packages containing the 
ballots and voting lists, and said registrars or election 
, A commissioners shall give notice in writing 

given Of place to the person affected, fixing a place and 
time, as early as may be, at which said 
ballots will be recounted and at such 


and time of 
recount. 


place and time shall open the packages containing the 
ballots and voting lists and recount said ballots and 
determine the questions raised, and shall reject any chal- 


39 


lenged vote cast by a person found not to have been 
entitled to vote; and such recount shall stand as the true 
candidate or result of the vote cast in such caucus, 
agent may be Each candidate affected may be present 
present. during such recount, or may be repre¬ 

sented by an agent appointed by him in writing * 


Chosen 

annually. 

names and 
number. 


qualiAcation. 


Caucus Officers. 

Section 127. At the caucus held for the choice of dele¬ 
gates to the state convention there shall be chosen an¬ 
nually a warden, a clerk, and at least five 
inspectors, and, in wards having more than 
five precincts, such additional inspectors 
as the city committee of the political party 
whose caucuses are to be held may determine. 

They shall be voters of the ward or 
town in which they are elected and mem¬ 
bers of the political party whose caucus is to be held, 
certain No person shall be eligible to the posi- 

persons not tion of warden or clerk or inspector who 
eligible. j s a state ^ coun ty or city employee, or 

who is a member of a ward or town committee, and no 
person shall serve as a caucus officer at any caucus 
wherein he is a candidate for an elective office or for a 
nomination to an elective office, or candidate for ward or 
town committee. 

Every caucus officer shall hold office 
for one year, beginning with the first day 
of October succeeding his election, and until his successor 
is elected. 

He shall, before entering upon the 
performance of his duties, be sworn to 
the faithful performance thereof by the 


term of office. 


to be sworn. 


record to be 
made. 


* Add the words: “ If it shall appear upon a recount that persons were 
I nominated or elected other than those declared to have been nominated or 
elected, certificates of such change shall be made as in the case of the original 
certificate. Sec. 4, chap. 329 Acts of 1899. 






40 


duties same in 
general as re¬ 
quired of elec¬ 
tion officers. 


Special 
provisions 
tor additional 
officers in 
Boston. 


warden, clerk, or a justice of the peace, and a record of 
such oath shall be made upon the record book of such 
caucus. 

The respective duties of caucus offi¬ 
cers shall be in general the same as are 
required of election officers at elections. 

Section 128. If prior to the third day preceding a 
caucus of a political party in the city of Boston fifty 
voters entitled to participate therein petition the board 
of election commissioners of Boston for 
additional caucus officers, said board shall 
provide additional officers for said caucus 
in the following manner: Every elective 
candidate and every person filing a nomi¬ 
nation paper for a delegation may present to said board 
the names of not exceeding four persons. From these 
names said board shall, in the presence of those pre¬ 
senting said names, draw the names of five persons who 
shall be admitted behind the guard rail during the 
caucus, shall be authorized to supervise the checking of 
names and the conduct of the caucus in general, and may 
witness the count at the close of the caucus. 

Section 129. At a caucus a majority of the caucus 
officers present may fill temporary vacan¬ 
cies and elect additional officers to serve 
in that caucus only. Such temporary 
officers shall be duly sworn. 

Permanent vacancies shall be filled 
by a majority vote of all the caucus 
officers. 

Section 130. A city or town committee of a political 
party adopting the special provisions of this act applying 


Temporary 
vacancies, 
temporary 
officers, 
to be sworn. 

permanent 
vacancies to 
be filled by 
remaining 
officers. 


41 


Caucus officers to caucuses of political parties in Boston 

for fir st caucus an d cer t a i n cities and towns shall, at 
field after ’ 

adoption least ten days before holding any caucus 

special thereunder, appoint caucus officers in 

tfii S act. to lie each ward or town to serve at the first 
appointed. caucus to be held thereafter. 


Section 131. In a newly incorporated city, or upon 
a re-division into wards of a city to which the provisions 
of said sections apply, the caucus officers 
incorporated to serve i* 1 the caucuses held in the next 
city or upon succeeding year shall be appointed by 
ITcttyiiito* ° f the committee; and at such caucuses 
wards. the regular caucus officers shall be 


chosen. 


*6. Nomination of Candidates. 

Section 136. A convention of delegates, or a caucus, 
held in accordance with this act, may for the Common- 
Nominations wealth, or for a district, county, city, town 
by caucus and or ward, make one nomination for each 
convention. office to be filled at an election therein, 
and shall be entitled to have the names of its candidates 
placed upon the official ballot upon filing a certificate of 
nomination as hereinafter provided. 

A party may make a nomination for 

special an 0 ffi ce to ffii ec [ by election in the 

provisions. J 

Commonwealth, or in any district, county, 
city, town or ward, when at the five preceding annual 
elections it polled in the Commonwealth, or in such dis¬ 
trict, county, city, town or ward respectively, a number of 
votes for governor equal to the votes required to nominate 
by nomination papers a candidate for the office so to be 
filled. 


* The provisions of Sections 136 to 417 inclusive, apply to all caucuses 
in the Commonwealth. 




42 


Conventions. 


Section 137. No convention to nominate candidates 


N o convention 
to be called 
earlier than 
four days 
after a caucus. 


for any state or city office shall be called 
for a date earlier than four days after the 
holding of the caucuses for the choice of 
delegates thereto* 


Section 138. At a political convention not held for 
the nomination of state officers to be voted for at large, 
by vote of one fourth of the delegates 
present the nomination of any candidate 
shall be made by roll call in the following 
manner: The secretary of the convention 
shall call the roll of the towns and cities 
in alphabetical order or of wards in a city 
in numerical order, and each delegate 
shall, as his name is called, state in the hearing of the 
convention the name of the candidate for whom he 
majority of desires to vote, and the person receiving 
votes required. a majority of votes on such roll call 
shall be the candidate of the convention. 


Nominations 
in a conven¬ 
tion (except 
state) to be 
made by roll 
call by vote of 
one fourtli of 
tlie delegates. 


Section 139. Every certificate of nomination shall 
state such facts as are required by section one hundred 
and forty-three of this act, shall be signed 
by the presiding officer and by the secre¬ 
tary of the convention or caucus, who 
shall add to their signatures their places 
of residence, and shall make oath to the 
truth thereof. 


Certificates of 
nomination 
to state 
certain facts. 

oatli of 
officers. 


Add the words: “ and all such conventions shall be called for a date 
not later than forty eight hours prior to the hour for filing certificates of nom 
mation as provided in section one hundred and forty-five of this act. 

Sec. 1, chap. 146 Acts of 1899. 





43 


* The secretary of the convention or 
secretary to . 

me certificate caucus shall within the seventy-two hours 
within 72 succeeding five o’clock in the afternoon 
of the day upon which the convention or 
caucus was held and within the time specified in section 
one hundred and forty-five of this act, file such certificate 
as hereinafter provided. 

Nomination Papers Relating to Elections. 


Section 140. Nominations of candidates for any 
offices to be filled by all the voters of the Commonwealth 
may be made by nomination papers, stat¬ 
ing the facts required by section one 
hundred and forty-three of this act, and 
signed in the aggregate by not less than 
one thousand qualified voters for each 
candidate. 


1,000 signa¬ 
tures to be on 
nomination 
papers for 
officers voted 
for by all 
voters. 


other state 
and city 
officers, one 
for every lOO 
votes cast in 
district at 
annual 
election, but 
not less than 
50. 


Nominations of all other candidates 
for offices to be filled at a state election, 
and of all candidates for offices to be 
filled at a city election, may be made by 
like nomination papers, signed in the 
aggregate for each candidate by one 
qualified voter for every one hundred 
votes for governor cast at the preceding 


annual state election in the electoral district or division 
for which the officers are to be elected, but in no case 


less than fifty. 

town 

elections, one 
for every 50, 
etc., but not 
less than 20. 


Nominations of candidates for offices 
to be filled at a town election may be 
made by nomination papers signed by at 
least one qualified voter for every fifty 
votes polled for governor at the preced- 


See penalties, section 376 , 






44 


ing annual state election in such town, but in no case by 
less than twenty qualified voters. 


special 
provisions in 
new wards 
and first 
elections. 


At a first election to be held in a newly 
established ward of a city, the number of 
voters upon a nomination paper of a can¬ 
didate who is to be voted for only in 
such ward need not exceed fifty; and at 


a first election in a town the number for the nomination 


Voter’s 

signature, 

residence, 

number of 

nominations, 

etc. 


of a candidate who is to be voted for only in such town 
need not exceed twenty. 

Section 141. Every voter signing a nomination 
paper shall sign the same in person, and shall add to his 
signature his place of residence, with the 
street and number thereof, if any; but 
any voter who is prevented by a physical 
disability from writing or who had the 
right to vote on the first day of May in 
the year eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, 
may authorize some person to write his name and resid¬ 
ence in his presence; and every voter may sign as many 
nomination papers for each office to be filled as there are 
persons to be elected thereto, and no more. 

Women qualified to vote may sign 
nomination papers for candidates for the 
school committee. 

Every nomination paper shall, before 
being filed, be seasonably submitted to 
the registrars of the city or town in which 
the signers appear to be qualified voters, 
and in Boston to the election commissioners, who shall 
forthwith certify thereon the number of signatures which 
are names of qualified voters both in the city or town and 
in the district or division for which the nomination is 


women may- 
sign papers 
for school 
committee. 


nomination 
papers, 
registrar’s 
certificate,etc 


45 


made. They need not certify a greater number of names 
than are required to make a nomination, with one fifth of 
such number added thereto. Names not certified in the 
first instance shall not thereafter be certified on the same 
nomination papers. The secretary of the Commonwealth 
shall not be required in any case to file nomination papers 
for a candidate after filing such papers containing a 
sufficient number of certified names to make a nomina¬ 
tion, with one fifth of such number added thereto. One 
of the signers to each nomination paper 
shall make oath to the truth of the state¬ 
ments therein, and the certification of 
such oath and the post office address of the signer shall 
be annexed to such paper. 

Section 142. A notary public, justice of the peace 

or other magistrate, when taking the oath of a signer of 

Duties of a nom i na ti° n paper, shall satisfy himself 

notaries, etc., that the person to whom the oath is 

when taking administered is the person signing such 
signer’s oath. . . , , 

nomination paper, and shall so state in 
his attestation of said oath. 


oath of 
signer, etc 


Certificates of Nomination and Nomination Papers. 

Section 143. All certificates of nomination and 
nomination papers shall, in addition to the names of 
candidates, specify as to each: (1) his 
Contents of residence with street and number thereof, 
and papers. if any; (2) the office for which he is nomi¬ 
nated; and (3), except as hereinafter 
provided, the party or political principle which he repre¬ 
sents, expressed in not more than three words. Certifi¬ 
cates of nomination shall also state what provision, if 




46 


candidates 
other than 
those of a 
political 
party. 


any, was made by the caucus or convention for filling 
vacancies caused by the death, withdrawal or ineligibility 
of candidates. The names of the candidates for presi¬ 
dent and vice president of the United States may be 
added to the party or political designation of the candi¬ 
dates for presidential electors. To the name of each 
candidate for the office of alderman at large shall be 
added the number of the ward in which he resides. 

If a candidate is nominated otherwise 
than by a political party, the name of a 
political party shall not be used in his 
political designation, except as describing 
and preceding some other name or term, 
which shall not be the name of any party which cast at 
the last preceding election more than three thousand 
votes for governor; and if so used in case of a candidate 
nominated by a nomination paper, the political designa¬ 
tion shall consist of not more than two words, shall not 
be changed after having been placed upon the paper, and 
to it shall be added the words “ nomination paper,” or, 
as abbreviated, “nom. paper.” Certificates of nomina. 
tion and nomination papers for town offices may or may 
not include a designation of the party or principle which 
the candidate represents. 

Section 144. Certificates of nomination and nomina¬ 
tion papers for state offices shall be filed with the secre¬ 
tary of the Commonwealth; and for city 
and town offices with the city or town 
clerk; and in Boston with the election 
commissioners. 

Every nomination paper shall be filed 
by a responsible person, who shall with 
his own hand sign such paper and add to 


With whom 
nomination 
papers are to 
be tiled. 

to be tiled by 
responsible 
persons, etc. 


47 


his signature his place of residence, giving street and 
number, if any; and the secretary of the Commonwealth 
or the city or town clerk shall require a satisfactory 
identification of such person. 

written No nomination paper shall be received 

acceptance of or be valid unless the written acceptance 
candidate to . r 

be tiled witb of the candidate thereby nominated shall 
paper. be filed therewith. 

Section 145. Certificates of nomination for offices 
to be filled by the voters of the Commonwealth shall be 
filed on or before the fifth Monday, and 

£.ast days for . . , ' , 

filing papers nomination papers on or before the fourth 

for state Monday preceding the day of the elec¬ 

tion. For all other state offices, certifi¬ 
cates of nomination shall be filed on or before the third 
Thursday, and nomination papers on or before the third 
Friday preceding the day of the election; but when there 
is a special election to fill any state office, certificates of 
nomination shall be filed on or before the twelfth day, 
and nomination papers on or before the eleventh day 
preceding the day of such election, 
iu cities In c iti es > except Boston, certificates 

except Boston, of nomination for city offices shall be 
for city offices. ^j ec j on or before the second Wednesday; 
and nomination papers on or before the second Friday 
preceding the day of the election. 

In Boston certificates of nomination 

in Boston f< r f or c j ty . 0 ffi ces shall be filed on or before 
city ofuces. , 

the third Friday ; and nomination papers 
on or before the third Saturday preceding the day of 
the election. 

In towns certificates of nomination 
in towns for f or town 0 f£ ces shall be filed on or before 

town offices. , _ , , . 

the second Saturday, and nomination 


48 


papers on or before the Monday preceding the day of 
the election; provided that, whenever such Saturday falls 
on a legal holiday, said certificates of 
provisions nomination shall be filed on or before the 
preceding day, and whenever such Mon¬ 
day falls on a legal holiday said nomination papers shall 
be filed on or before the succeeding day ; but when a town 
election is held on a day of the week other than Monday, 
such certificates of nomination and nomination papers 
shall be filed respectively on or before the ninth and 
seventh days preceding the day of the election. 

Certificates of nomination and nomi¬ 
nation papers shall be filed before five 
o’clock in the afternoon of the last day 
fixed for the filing thereof. 

*Section 146. When certificates of nomination and 
nomination papers have been filed, and are in apparent 
Nominations conformity with law, they shall be valid 
unless objections thereto are made in 
writing. 

Such objections to nominations of can¬ 
didates for state offices and city offices 
shall be filed with the secretary of the 
Commonwealth or the city clerk, or in Boston the election 
commissioners, respectively, within the seventy-two hours 
succeeding five o’clock of the last day fixed for the filing 
of nomination papers for such office. Such objections to 
nominations of candidates for town offices shall be filed 
with the town clerk within the twenty- 
four hours succeeding five o’clock of the 
last day fixed for the filing of nomination papers for 
such office. 

Section 147. Objections to certificates of nomina- 


papers to be 
tiled before 
5 P.M. of 
last day. 


valid unless 
objected to,etc. 

consideration 
of objections. 


when filed. 


49 


tion and nomination papers for state offices, and all other 
^ questions relating thereto, shall be con- 
certificate, etc. sidered by the state ballot law commission 
by whom hereinafter provided for ; to nominations 
considered. f or c j t y 0 ffi ceSj except in Boston, by the 

board of registrars, the city clerk and the city solicitor; 
in Boston, by the ballot law commission of said city; 
and to nominations for town offices, by the board of 
registrars. 

The boards constituted in cities and 

proceedings. , , , . 

towns may, at hearings on such objec¬ 
tions and questions, summon witnesses, administer oaths, 
and require the production of books and papers. Such 
witnesses shall be summoned in the same manner, be 
paid the same fees, and be subject to the same penalties 
for default, as witnesses before the superior court. A 
summons may be signed and an oath may be administered 
by any member of such board, and the decision of a 
majority of the members thereof shall be final. 

When such objection is filed, notice 
candidates thereof shall be forthwith mailed by the 

committees secretary of the Commonwealth, or by 

to be notified. ^ or t0 wn clerk, or election com¬ 
missioners, respectively, to the candidates affected there¬ 
by, addressed to their residences as given in the certifi¬ 
cates of nomination or nomination papers, and to any 
party committee interested in the nomination to which 
objection is made. 

When more candidates bearing the 
candidates same political or other designation are 

have same nominated for an office than are to be 

designation. e i ec t e( j thereto, such boards shall deter¬ 

mine the candidates, if any, entitled to such designation. 





50 


Section 148. A person nominated as a candidate 
for any state or city office may withdraw his name from 
nomination by a request in writing signed 
yi ithdrawais. ^ aQ( j ac k now i ec iged before a justice 

of the peace, and filed with the officer with whom the 
nomination was filed within the seventy-two hours suc¬ 
ceeding five o’clock of the last day fixed for the filing of 
nomination papers for such office. A person nominated 
for a town office may withdraw his name from nomina¬ 
tion by a like request filed with the town clerk within the 
twenty-four hours succeeding five o’clock of the last day 
fixed for the filing of nomination papers for such office. 

Section 149. If a candidate nominated for a state, 
city or town office dies before the day of election, or 
withdraws his name from nomination, or 

iiCAllCicSt 

is found ineligible, the vacancy may be 
filled by the same political party or persons who made 
the original nomination, and in the same manner; or, if 
the time is insufficient therefor, the vacancy may be filled, 
if the nomination was made by a convention or caucus, 
in such manner as the convention or caucus may have 
prescribed, or, if no such provision has been made, by a 
regularly elected general or executive committee repre¬ 
senting the political party or persons who held such 
convention or caucus. If a vacancy is caused by with¬ 
drawal, certificates of nomination made otherwise than in 
the original manner shall be filed within seventy-two 
hours succeeding five o’clock of the last day fixed for 
filing withdrawals. They shall be open to objection in 
the same manner, as far as practicable, as other certifi¬ 
cates of nomination. No vacancy caused by withdrawal 
shall be filled before the withdrawal has been filed. 


51 


Section 150. When a nomination is made to fill a 
vacancy caused by the death, withdrawal or ineligibility 
Certificate of a can didate, the certificate of nomina- 
nomination tion shall, in addition to the other facts 
in case of a required, state the name of the original 
nominee, the fact of his death, withdrawal 
or ineligibility, and the* proceedings had for filling the 
vacancy; and the presiding officer and secretary of the 
convention or caucus, or the chairman and secretary of 
an authorized committee, shall sign and make oath to 
the truth of the certificate, and it shall be accompanied 
by the written acceptance of the candidate nominated. 


Section 15 i. Certificates of nomination, nomination 
papers, objections thereto and withdrawals, when filed, 

shall, under proper regulations, be open 
All papers to .... . . 

i>e open to the to public inspection, and the secretary of 

public. the Commonwealth and the several city 

to be and town clerks, and in Boston the board 

preserved. 0 f election commissioners, shall preserve 
the same in their respective offices for one year. 


Section 152. The secretary of the Commonwealth 
shall, upon application, provide blank forms for the nomi¬ 
nation of candidates for all state offices ; 

Blank forms and he shall send b l ank f orms f or cer - 

to be 

provided. tificates of nomination for the office of 
representative in the general court to the 
clerk of each city and town for the use of any caucus or 
convention held therein for the nomination of candidates 
for that office. He shall likewise provide the clerks of 
towns, wherein official ballots are used, with blank forms 
for the nomination of candidates for town offices. 





52 


Inquest in Caucus, Convention and Election Cases. 

Section 304. Upon a complaint subscribed and 
sworn to by any person before a municipal, police or 
district court, or a trial justice, alleging 
that reasonable grounds exist for believ¬ 
ing that any law relating to the registra¬ 
tion, qualification or assessment of voters, 
or to voting lists or ballots, or to cau¬ 
cuses, conventions and elections, or to 
any matters pertaining thereto, has been 
violated, such court or justice may at once hold an 
inquest to inquire into such alleged violation of the law. 

For mode of procedure see sections 305 to 310, 
chapter 548, acts of 1898. 


Inquests in 
cases of 
alleged, 
violations of 
certain laws 
relating to 
caucuses, con¬ 
ventions, etc. 


TITLE XII. 

1. Penalties upon Officers. 

Section 364. An officer of a caucus or convention 
who knowingly makes any false count of ballots or votes, 
or makes a false statement or declaration of the result of 
Penalties a ballot or vote, or knowingly refuses to 

on officer of receive any ballot offered by a person 

contention qualified to vote at such caucus or con- 

making false vention, or wilfully alters, defaces or 

count. destroys any ballots cast, or voting lists 

used thereat, before the requirements of this act have 
been complied with, or declines or wilfully fails to 
receive any written request made as therein required, or 
declines or wilfully fails to perform any duty or obliga- I 
tion imposed thereby shall be punished by imprisonment 1 
in jail not exceeding three months. 


53 


on presiding 
officer, 
secretary, or 
clerk of a 
caucus 
violating 
section 
ninety-eight. 

On caucus 

officer 

violating 

section 

ninety-one. 


Any presiding officer, secretary or 
clerk of a caucus, who wilfully neglects 
or refuses to comply with the require¬ 
ments of section ninety-eight of this act, 
shall be punished by a fine not exceeding 
fifty dollars for each offence. 

Section 365. A caucus officer who 
violates any of the provisions of section 
ninety-one of this act shall be punished 
by imprisonment in jail not exceeding 
one year. 


Section 368. A presiding officer at a caucus or at a 
state or city election, or at am election in a town at which 
A official ballots are used, who, when the 

On presiding ... .. . 

officer of a right of a person offering to vote is 

caucus when challenged for any legal cause, wilfully 

is challenged. or negligently fails to require the name 
and residence of such person to be 
written upon the ballot offered by him, and to add thereto 
the name of the person challenging and the assigned 
cause, before such ballot is received, shall be punished 
by imprisonment in jail not exceeding one year. 

Section 376. Any public officer, caucus or election 
officer, or officer or member of a political committee or 
political convention, upon whom a duty 
is imposed by law, who refuses or wil¬ 
fully neglects or wilfully fails to perform 
such duty, or who wilfully performs it 
contrary to law, shall for each offence, if 
no other penalty is herein specifically im¬ 
posed therefor, be punished by imprison¬ 
ment in jail not exceeding one year. 


On caucus 
officer, officer 
or member of 
political 
committee or 
convention 
failing to 
perform a 
duty. 



54 


2. Penalties upon Voters. 


Section 377. Whoever at a caucus votes or attempts 
to vote, knowing that he is not entitled so to do, or votes 
or attempts to vote upon any name other 
than his own, or more than once on his 
own name, or casts or attempts to cast 
more than one ballot, or places any dis¬ 
tinguishing mark upon a ballot, or makes 
a false statement as to his ability to mark 
his ballot, or unlawfully allows the mark¬ 
ing of his ballot to be seen by any person, 
or gives a false answer to, or makes a 
false oath before, a presiding officer, shall 
be punished by imprisonment in jail not 
exceeding six months. 

Section 378. A voter who violates 
any of the provisions of section ninety- 
one of this act shall be punished by 
imprisonment in jail not exceeding one 


For illegal 
voting or 
attempting 
to vote, 
for placing 
distinguish¬ 
ing mark on 
ballot. 

for allowing 
marking of 
ballot to be 
seen, giving 
false answer 
or making 
false oatli. 


For violation 
of provisions 
of section Ol 
as to taking 
an oatli. 


year. 

Section 380. A voter who makes a false statement 
as to his inability to mark a ballot, or 
ftiise nalC1I1S w * 10 ’ exce P t f° r ^ ie purpose of obtaining 
statements as assistance under section two hundred 
to inability to an( j twenty-six of this act, allows his 
etc. ballot to be seen by any person with an 

intention of indicating how he is about 
to vote, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one 
hundred dollars. 


3. General Penalties. 

Section 390. Whoever aids or abets a person not 
entitled to vote in voting or attempting to vote at a cau- 


cus, or in voting or attempting to vote 
ai>ettingin 0r under a name other than his own, or In 
illegal voting, casting or attempting to cast more than 
one ballot, or wilfully and without lawful 
authority hinders, delays or interferes with, or aids in 
hindering, delaying or interfering with, a voter when on 
his way to a caucus, or when marking his ballot, or voting 
or attempting to vote, or endeavors to induce a voter to 
show his ballot, shall be punished by imprisonment in 
jail not exceeding one year. 

Section 391. Whoever alters a ballot cast at a cau¬ 
cus or, not being authorized thereto, de¬ 
posits a ballot in a ballot box or envelope 
used at a caucus, or removes a ballot 
from such ballot box or envelope, shall 
be punished by imprisonment in jail not 
exceeding three years. 

Section 392. Whoever falsely makes or wilfully 
alters, defaces, mutilates, destroys or suppresses any 
certificate of nomination or nomination 
paper, or letter of withdrawal of a name 
from such paper; or unlawfully signs 
any such certificate, paper or letter; or 
files any such certificate, paper or letter, 
knowing the same to be falsely made or 
altered, shall be punished by imprison¬ 
ment in jail not exceeding one year. 

Section 393. Whoever as a notary public, justice of 
the peace, or other magistrate, takes the oath of a signer 
to a nomination paper without satisfying 
himself that the person to whom the oath 
is administered is the signer of such 
nomination paper, or who shall fail to 
state in his attestation of such oath that 


For altering, 
depositing or 
removing 
ballot with 
intent to 
cheat. 


For falsely 

making, 

filing, 

suppressing, 
defacing, etc., 
certificate, 
nomination 
paper or 
letter. 


Penalties on 
notaries, etc. 
taking oaths 
of signers to 
nomination 
papers. 




56 


he is so satisfied, shall be punished by a fine of not less 
than ten dollars or more than fifty dollars for ^ach 
offence. 


For writing 

printing, 

posting, 

distributing, 

etc., 

anonymous 
circulars, etc 


Section 394. Whoever intentionally writes, prints, 
posts, or distributes, or causes to be written, printed, 
posted, or distributed, a circular or poster 
which is designed or tends to injure or 
defeat any candidate for nomination or 
election to any public office, by criticising 
his personal character or political action, 
unless there appears upon such circular 
or poster in a conspicuous place either names of the 
chairman and secretary, or of two officers of the political 
or other organization issuing the same, or of some voter 
who is responsible therefor, with his name and residence, 
and the street and number thereof, if any, shall be pun¬ 
ished by imprisonment in jail not exceeding six months. 

Section 395. Whoever posts, circulates or distributes 
any poster, card, handbill, placard, picture or circular 
except a paster to be placed upon the 
official ballot, intended to influence the 
action of a voter, at any caucus or elec¬ 
tion, in the polling place, in the building 
in which the polling place is located or 
on the walls thereof, on the premises on 
which the building stands, or on the side¬ 
walk adjoining said premises, shall be punished by a fine 
not exceeding twenty dollars. 

Section 400. Whoever, before an election, wilfully 
defaces or destroys any list of candidates posted under 
For defacing ^ lis or > during a caucus or an 

destroying, election, wilfully defaces, tears down, 
card^baliots removes or destroys any card of instruc- 
suppiies, etc. tion or specimen ballot posted for the 


For posting 
circulating, 
etc., printed 
matter in 
and about 
polling 
places at 
caucuses and 
elections. 







instruction of voters, or during a caucus or an election 
wilfully removes or destroys any of the supplies or 
conveniences furnished to enable a voter to prepare his 
ballot, shall be punished by fine not exceeding one hun¬ 
dred dollars. 


For forging, 
etc., 

endorsement, 
destroying, 
etc., ballot, or 
delaying 
delivery of 
ballots. 


Section 401. Whoever forges or 
falsely makes the official endorsement on 
any ballot, or wilfully destroys or defaces 
a ballot, or wilfully delays the delivery of 
any ballots, shall be punished by im¬ 
prisonment in jail not exceeding one 


year. 

Section 402. Whoever wilfully and without lawful 
authority obstructs or delays a voter when on his way to 
For bindering polling place where he is entitled to 
or delaying a vote, or while he is voting or attempting 
voter. to vote, or aids or assists in any such 

obstruction or delay, shall be punished by imprisonment 
in jail not exceeding one year. 

Section 403. Whoever interferes or attempts to 
interfere with a voter when he is m arking 
his ballot or is within the space enclosed 
by the guard rail, or endeavors to induce 
a voter, before he has voted, to show how 
he marks or has marked his ballot, shall 
be punished by a fine not exceeding 
one hundred dollars. 


For 

interfering 
witb voter, 
or inducing 
voter to show 
ballot. 


Section 406. Whoever places a mark against a 
name on a ballot not cast by himself, or places a dis¬ 
tinguishing mark on a ballot not cast by 

For marking , . ,, , . , , . 

fcaUot himself, except as authorized by law, 

contrary to shall be punished by imprisonment in 
law * jail not exceeding three years. 


58 


Section 408. Whoever removes a ballot from the 


For removing 
a ballot from 
enclosed 
space. 


space enclosed by the guard rail before 
the close of the polls, shall be punished 
by imprisonment in jail not exceeding 
one year. 


Section 41 i. Whoever pays, or gives, or directly or 
For paying, indirectly promises to a voter any gift or 


giving or 
promising 
anything to 
influence a 
voter. 


reward to influence his vote or to induce 
him to withhold his vote, shall be pun¬ 
ished by imprisonment in jail not ex¬ 
ceeding one year. 

Section 412. Whoever, at a caucus or at an elec¬ 
tion, behaves in a disorderly manner, and, after notice 
from the presiding officer, persists in such 
behavior and refuses to withdraw from the 
polling place, shall be punished by impris¬ 
onment in jail not exceeding thirty days. 

Section 413. Whoever wilfully dis¬ 
obeys any lawful command of an election 
or caucus officer, shall be punished by 
imprisonment in jail not exceeding thirty 
days. 

Section 414. Whoever, when ordered by the pre¬ 
siding officer of an election or caucus or meeting, refuses 
or fails to remove any pipe, cigar, cig- 
removing arette or liquor, or to withdraw from the 
pipe, cigar, polling place, as provided by section * two 

liquor, etc. hundred and nineteen of this act, shall 

be punished by fine not exceeding twenty dollars. 


For 

disorderly 
conduct at 
caucuses. 


For 

disobeying 
orders of 
caucus 
officers. 


* Section 219. Any person who, during an election or town meet¬ 
ing* shall, in a polling place or place of such meeting, smoke or have 
in his possession a lighted pipe, cigar or cigarette, or carry into any 
such place or keep therein any intoxicating liquor, shall be deemed 
guilty of disorderly conduct ; and the presiding officer shall order him 
to remove such pipe, cigar, cigarette, or liquor, or to withdraw from 
such place, and for disobedience of such order shall cause him to be 
removed from such polling place or meeting. 


Section 

For giving 

information 

regarding 

challenged 

votes. 


415. Whoever gives any information de¬ 
rived from a recount of votes relative to 
a ballot cast by a challenged voter at an 
election or caucus, shall be punished by 
imprisonment in jail not exceeding one 


year. 

Section 416. Whoever violates the provisions of 
sections two hundred and eighty-nine to two hundred 
and ninety-one, inclusive, of this act, shall 
be punished by imprisonment in jail not 
exceeding one year, and whoever violates 
any other provision of this act relating to 
corrupt practices in elections, shall be 
punished by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars. 
Supreme au.i Section 417. The supreme judicial 
Superior court and the superior court shall have 

I jurisdiction jurisdiction at law or in equity to enforce 

to enforce. t h e provisions of this act. 


For 

violation of 
provisions 
relating to 
corrupt 
practice. 


officers to 
1 arrest 
without 
warrant. 


Police officers and constables shall 
arrest without warrant any person de¬ 
tected in the act of violating the caucus 
or election laws. 


For provisions relating to non-political parties see 
sections 132 to 135 of chapter 548, acts of 1898. 





60 


J 


INDEX. 


Acceptance of nomination by candidates. 

must be in writing and tiled or papers invalid. 

Aldermen (in Boston, election commissioners) 

to provide polling places.21, 

to notify political committees of places provided.21, 

upon request to arrange polling places for voting in two or more 

lines. 

Arrests, for violating caucus laws, etc., to be made by officers 

without warrant. 

Ballot, official, term defined. 

to be taken in all caucuses. 

Ballots (under the provisions of sections applyingto Boston, etc.) 

to be provided by the city or town. 

to be prepared by * city or town clerk... 

no other to be received or counted. 

in Boston not to be printed in any office owned by the city. 

number to be furnished equal to one for each voter. 

number to be printed to be determined by officers of city or town 

committee. If they fail to do so by *city or town clerk. 

six specimen, to be printed on colored paper, to be posted in each 

polling place. 32 , 

to have an official heading, with party name, etc. 

to have names for elective offices arranged alphabetically. 

to have other names grouped in order filed, or alphabetically on 

request or vote. 

except for delegates, to have place of residence printed against 

names. 

against certain names brief statements, contained in nomination 

papers, to be printed on. 

to contain only names presented on nomination papers. 

to have blank spaces for inserting other names. 

to state number of persons to be voted for. 

to indicate by a star (*) a candidate for re-election. 

in form and arrangement to be in general same as official state 

ballot... 

how to be marked by voter... 

if more names are marked than are to be chosen not to be counted 
apparatus for counting, etc., to be delivered at polling places... 

to be delivered by * city or town clerk at the polling places. 

to be delivered to certain officers. 

a cross (x) against a name on, to constitute a vote. 

not to be counted till polls are closed. 

to be counted in full view. ... 


23 

26 

26 

27 

59 

10 

22 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

35 

32 

33 ! 

33 

33 


* In Boston, election commissioners. 








































61 



Ballots — Continued. 

when counted result to be announced... 

to be sealed up with check list, etc., and endorsed. 

to be kept by secretary of caucus ten days, and for three months 

if requested by ten voters. 

except in Boston, etc., to be recounted when request is filed 

within three week days. 

in Boston, etc., to be recounted on request of ten voters. 

to be produced when required by any court or convention. 


penalties relating to. 54 , 55 , 50 , 

Boston, City of, sections relating to caucuses in. 

Candidates, nomination of, by caucus and convention. 41 , 

Provisions applying to the whole state. 


no caucus entitled to nominate, except as provided in act. 

to be nominated by plurality vote in a caucus *. 

to be voted for at a state election to be nominated at caucuses 
held throughout the state on one of two designated days... 

for the general court may be nominated on a different day. 

in case of a tie vote for an elective office another ballot to be 

taken at once unless some one objects. 

if objection is made caucus shall adjourn to any subsequent day 

in case of a tie vote for other... 

for elective office to receive notice of nomination. 

to be nominated by majority vote in a convention. 

no convention to nominate, to be called earlier than four days 
after caucus nor later than 48 hours prior to hour of filing cer¬ 
tificates of nomination . 

may be nominated by roll call in a convention. 

to be chosen by ballot.. 

Provisions applying to cities and towns except Boston. 

may ask for recount of ballots. 

to be notified of time and place of recount. 

or agent may be present at recounts... 

Provisions applying only to Boston and cities and towns 
adopting said provisions. 

to be voted for at a city or town election to be chosen at caucuses 

held same day in each city and town. 

nominations of, to be voted for at a caucus must be made by 

nomination papers. 

in Boston no caucus to nominate, to be called before seven 

days after state election. 

to file written acceptance with papers. 

residence of, to be placed on papers. 

preferences of, and information regarding, may be placed on 

papers..". 

names of, on papers not to exceed number of persons to be elected 
how nominated in case papers are not filed or vacancy occurs... 

may withdraw from nomination papers. 

information, etc., regarding, on nomination papers to be printed 

on ballots. 

names of, how arranged on ballots. 

for re-election indicated on ballot by star (*). 

for an elective office or nomination to such, or ward or town 
committee cannot serve as caucus officers. 


3 0 
37 

37 


38 

37 

57 

23 

42 


lf> 

20 


17 

17 


20 

20 

20 

20 

42 


42 

42 

22 


22 

23 

23 


25 


28 


2(1 

28 

2 '.) 


20 

28 

30 

31 

33 

33 

34 


39 


(see nomination of candidates.) 




































62 


Caucus, term defined.........*. 9 

may make one nomination for each office, etc... 41 

to be entitled to have candidate’s name on election ballot. 41 

* registrars to hold at least one session for registration before 

the first, preceding state election. 12 

Caucuses, terms relating to, defined.9, 10, 11 

Provisions applying to all throughout the State, 
criminal prosecutions for all offenses, etc., in. 11 

* registrars to furnish voting lists for use in... 12 

to choose ward committees in the re-division of a city into wards 15 

to be called by city committee existing. 15 

rules and regulations relative to, may be made. 16 

voter supporting independent candidate not excluded from. 16 

not entitled to nominate candidates or elect delegates, except as 

provided. 16 

except a representative, no candidate to be voted for in districts 

of more than one ward or town to be nominated in. 16 

(relating to state elections.) 

to be held at call of state committee... 17 

to be held throughout the state on one of two consecutive 

days. 17 

delegates to be elected and candidates elected at one caucus 17 
other days may be named for representative except in Boston 17 
twenty-one days before, copy of call to be sent to committee 17 

dates for representative, to be designated. 17 

city and town committees to determine dates of representative 18 
no representative convention to be held earlier than 15 days 

after latest date for state. 18 

no two political parties to hold, on same dav. 18 

precedence given to party first filing copy of call of. 18 

for special elections to be called by political committees. 18 

to be valid must be called by a printed or written notice. 18 

notices of, apply only to members of party calling them. 18 

no person having voted in, of one party can in, of another party 

within ensuing twelve months. 19 

no voter to be prevented from taking part in, if he will take 

prescribed oath. 19 

presiding officer of, to administer oath... 19 

clerk or secretary of, to make record, etc., of oath. 19 

voting list to be used in. 19 

no person to take part in, whose name is not on list. 20 

candidates receiving highest number of votes deemed elected 

or nominated. 20 

in case of tie votes at. 20 

presiding officers and secretary of, to send certificate of election 20 

no convention to be held earlier than four days after. 42 

‘proceedings for an inquest for violations of laws relating to. 52 

penalties on officers and voters at. 52, 54 

may, for state districts, etc., make one nomination for each office ’ 41 
entitled to have name on official ballot. .. 41 


*In Boston, election commissioners. 







































Caucuses — Continued. 

Provisions applying to such cities and towns as have not 
adopted provisions applying to Boston. 

two weeks before, application to be made for polling places_ 

ten days before, notice to be given committees of places pro¬ 
vided. 

seven days’ notice of, to be given to voters. 

notice of, to be posted in public places and published. 

hour for calling to order not to be later than S p. m. 

to be called to order by person designated in the call. 

in case of absence of person designated. 

temporary chairman to preside till permanent one is chosen.... 

chairman, secretary, etc., to be first chosen. 

ballot to be taken for delegates, candidates, etc. 

E olls to be kept open for thirty minutes. 

allots to be kept by secretary ten days. 

to be kept three months if requested by ten voters. 

chairman and secretary of, to recount ballots. 

political parties may call, to adopt or after one year, to revoke 

adoption of provisions applying to Boston. 

mode of procedure at, etc., for adoption, etc... 

(see caucuses, provisions applying to all, etc., for additional 

provisions). 

Provisions applying to Boston and such cities and towns 
as have adopted said provisions, 
all, to be held under provisions of sections 99 to 131 inclusive... 
for delegates to a convention to nominate candidates and for 
choice of candidates to be voted for at a city or town elec¬ 
tion, to be held on the same day . 

for delegates to convention to nominate candidates. 

for choice of political committee, day shall be the same as for 

choice of candidates for municipal officers. 

city or town committee to determine days, place and hour of 

holding. 

no two parties to hold on same day. 

party first filing copy of call with * city or town clerk entitled to 

preference. 

for city election (in Boston) not to be held till seven days after 

state election. 

eighteen days’notice to be given of place, day and hour of filing 

nomination paper, and day of holding. 

two weeks prior to day named for, application to be made for 

polling places. 

at least twelve days prior to, on request of 25 voters, provision 

shall be made at polling places for voting in two lines. 

ten days prior to, notice to be sent committees of places selected 

for.. 

seven days prior to, notice giving place, day and hour of holding 
hour of holding not to be earlier than 2 p. m. nor later than 

7.30 P. .. 

notices of and time of filing nomination papers shall be published 
in one or more local papers..... 


21 

21 

21 

21 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

24 

24 

23 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

26 

26 

26 

27 

26 

27 

27 

27 


*In Boston, election commissioners. 

































Caucuses — continued. 

Provisions applying to Boston, etc. — Continued. 

ballots for, to be provided by city or town... 32 

ballots for use in, to be prepared by *city or town clerks. 32 

in Boston no ballots for use in, to be printed in printing office 

of said city. 32 

date of, to be given on ballots. 32 

* city or town clerk to deliver at, ballots, etc. 35 

at opening of, presiding officer to post specimen ballots. 35*1 

to be held in general accordance with provisions of law relating 

to elections. 35 

order of business: 

first, any necessary preliminary business..... 35 

second, balloting until S.30 p.m. when time may be ex¬ 
tended . 35 

all persons in line to be allowed to vote. 36 

third, after polls are closed other business in order. 36 

in case right of person to vote is challenged. 36 

no officer to give information in regard to any ballot cast by 

voter challenged. 36 

ballots not to be counted till polls are closed. 36 

ballots to be counted in full view of the voters. 36 

presiding officer to make public announcement. 36 

record and copy to be made of result of balloting. 37 

record and copy to be sent to *city or town clerk. 37 

ballots shall be sealed with voting lists, etc., by clerk. 37 

package to be endorsed and sent to *city or town clerk. 37 

upon request of ten voters ballots to be kept by *city or town 

clerk three months. 37 

ballots cast at, to be recounted upon request duly made. 38 

for choice of delegation to state convention shall annually elect 

caucus officers. 39 

three days preceding, in Boston election commissioners may 

provide additional caucus officers. 40 

provisions for electing temporary caucus officers in. 40 

provisions for appointing caucus officers for first, after adoption 

by any city or town of provisions applying to Boston. 40 

in newly incorporated cities or upon re-division of city in wards 41 


(see caucuses, provisions applying to all, etc.) 

Caucuses, conduct of (see caucuses). 

Caucus officers, term defined. 9 

to be elected annually at caucus for choice of delegates to state 

convention. 39 

name, number and qualifications of. 39 

term of office from Oct. 1st, etc. 39 

if state, county or city employee, or members of ward or town 

committee ineligible. 39 

cannot serve when candidate for elective office or ward com¬ 
mittee .22-39 

names of, on ballot to be arranged in groups and in certain 
cases alphabetically. 33 


* In Boston, election commissioners. 











































Caucus officers — Continued. 

against name of, on ballot to be printed residence. 33 

candidates for, must file written acceptance with, nomination 

paper. 28 

in case of a tie vote at election of. 20 

to receive notice of election. 20 

duties of, same in general as those of election officers. 40 

additional to serve in one caucus only, how provided. 40 

permanent or temporary to be sworn.39-40 

temporary vacancies, how filled. 40 

permanent vacancies, how filled. 40 

when provisions applying to Boston are adopted. 41 

not to receive ballot required by law to refuse. 36 

not to give information regarding challenged voters. 36 

to be appointed for first caucus in year following new division 

of wards, etc. 41 

penalties imposed upon, for violation of law.52-53 

(see warden and clerk.) 

Certificates of nomination, to be sent within three week days of 

adjournment of caucus to all nominees, etc. 20 

penalty for failure to do so. 53 

for nominees to an elective office. 

to state certain facts, be signed by officials and sworn to.... 42 

secretary of caucus and convention to file within specified 

time. 43 

Certificates of nomination and nomination papers, contents of 

and designation in certain cases... 45 

to be filed with whom. 46 

acceptance of candidate to be filed with. 46 

last days for filing in cities and Boston... 47 

last days for filing in towns. 47 

last hour for filing. 48 

to be valid unless objected to. 48 

consideration of objections. 49 

notice to candidate and committee. 49 

to be open to public inspection and preserved. 51 

blank forms to be furnished. 51 

Chairman (see presiding officer). 

lo call caucus to order. 22 

Challenged votes, how received. 36 

no information relative to be given. 36 

when not counted.38-39 

Challenged voters, required to take oaths. 19 

to write name and residence on outside of ballot. 36 

information in regard to ballot cast by, not to be given. 36 

Check lists (see voting lists). 

Cities and towns, to provide polling places, ballot boxes, etc-21-26 

if provisions of sections applying to Boston, etc., are adopted, 
to provide polling places fitted with booths, guard rad, etc., 

as at state elections. 26 

to provide ballots and facsimile ballots. 32 

to provide blank nomination papers. 27 

to provide ballots, record book, blanks, seal, etc. 35 

City of Boston (see Boston, city of), , 












































City and Town Clerks, to receive list of members and officers 

of political committees with changes occurring. 14 

to have filed with them, notice of adoption and revocation of 

adoption of provisions applying to Boston, etc. 24 

^duties under provisions of sections applying to Boston, etc. 
copy of call for caucuses relating to town or city elections to be 

filed with. 25 

to prepare blank nomination papers. 27 

to deliver same to chairman or secretary of committee, and to 

them only.•'. 28 

to have papers delivered to them seven week days before caucus 

before 5 p. m. of last day. 31 

to prepare ballots. 32 

in Boston not to have them printed in any office owned by city 

of Boston. 32 

to determine number of ballots when city or town committee 

fail to do so. 32 

to furnish six specimen ballots on colored paper for each polling 

place. 32 

to prepare and deliver at polling places ballots, specimen bal¬ 
lots, blanks, etc. 35 

to keep sealed package of votes ten days, or upon request 

three months. 37 

to produce the same when called for by court. 37 

to have filed with them requests for recount. 38 

City Committee, existing, when deemed to be organized. 15 

the several ward committees of a citv shall constitute. 14 

organizations of, when and how made. 14 

list of members and organization of, when and with whom to be 

filed. 14 

vacancies in offices of, to be filled by the committee. 15 

to be filed as in case of officers first chosen. 15 

to receive notice of members and officers of state committee.... 13 

to call caucuses for election of ward committee in case of a 

re-division of a city into wards. 15 

may make rules for its conduct. 16 

may make rules relative to caucuses. 16 

may make regulations to determine membership in the party 

and to restrain others from taking part in caucuses, etc. 16 

not to deprive an independent voter from taking part in a caucus 16 
to receive from state committee copy of call of caucuses rela¬ 
tive to state elections. 17 

to determine date for representative caucuses in cities. 18 

to call caucuses relating to special election. 18 

to call all caucuses in cities.21-25 

to give seven days’ notice of the day, place and hour of holding 
caucuses. 27 


in cities other than Boston to call caucuses for adoption of 

sections applying to Boston, etc. 24 

penalties imposed on members of... 53 




(see city and town committees.) 


*In Boston, election commissioners, 








































67 


City and town committees, under sections applying to Boston, 
etc. 

duties of, in connection with nomination papers.30, 31 

to give eighteen days’ notice of the day of holding caucuses and 

place and time of filing nomination papers. 26 

may vote to have certain names on ballots arranged alphabet¬ 
ically. 33 

to appoint caucus officers for first caucus after adoption of 

Boston provisions. 41 

to appoint caucus officers in first caucus in newly incorporated 

city and in first year after new division of wards. 41 

chairman and secretary of 

to receive notice of caucus call from state committee. 17 

to issue calls for regular and special caucuses. 25 

to determine number of ballot for caucuses. 32 

chairman or secretary of. 

to notify in cities, * aldermen, in towns, selectmen, of date 

of caucuses. 26 

to receive notice from same of polling places provided for 

caucuses. 26 

to receive blank nomination papers from city or town clerk.. 28 

other duties, in connection with nomination papers.30, 31 

secretary of, 

to file with secretary of Commonwealth and state committee 
and city and town clerk, list of members, officers and 

vacancies. . 14 

(in Boston, etc., under provisions applying to said city.) 

nomination papers to be filed with. 29 

to cause caucus nomination papers to be opened publicly- • • 29 

to cause such nominations to be announced publicly. 30 

to endorse time papers were filed with him. 29 

may correct errors, irregularities, etc., in such papers. 30 

in case of withdrawal of nomination papers. 31 

to notify person filing of such defective paper...... 31 

in cities to notify ward committee if caucus nomination 

papers are not filed. 30 

in cities to be notified of nominations by ward committee in 

such case. 30 

to send nomination papers to * city or town clerk. 31 

to file notice of adoption or revocation of adoption of pro¬ 
visions applying to Boston. 24 

to arrange names alphabetically in certain cases upon 

request or vote. 33 

to have facsimile of his signature on ballots. 33 

penalties imposed on members of. 53 

City election term defined. 10 

City officer, term defined. 10 

Clerks of caucus, how and when chosen, term of office. 39 

to be appointed in certain cases. 40 

duties similar to those of clerks at elections. 40 

to make record of the result of voting.36, 37 


♦In Boston, election commissioners. 







































68 


Clerks of caucus —Continued. 

to make copy of the record. 37 

to seal ballots and transmit same with records, etc., to city 

clerk. 37 

with warden to endorse package containing’ votes, etc. 37 

ineligible if member of ward or town committee or state, county 

or city employee. 39 

cannot serve when candidate for elective office or town or ward 

committee. 39 

with warden to deliver to delegates and candidates notice of 

election. 21 


(see caucus officers.) 


Conventions, political, meaning of term. 10 

may for state, district, etc. make one nomination for each 

office to be filled at an election. 41 

entitled to have names on official ballot. 41 

delegates to, for state elections how and when elected. 17 

delegates to, for city elections in Boston, etc., how and when 

chosen. 25 

nominations at, ihay be made by roll call. 42 

majority of votes necessary to nominate. 42 

not to be called earlier than four days after a caucus, nor later than 

48 hours prior to hour of filing certificates of nomination. 42 

may call upon secretary or clerk of caucus for ballots cast, etc..22, 37 


Criminal prosecutions for offences, etc... 11 

Definition of terms. 9 

Delegates to conventions. 

except as provided in act no caucus entitled to elect. 16 

to nominate candidates to be voted for at a state election to be 

chosen at one caucus. 17 

to nominate candidates for representatives may be chosen on 

another day. 17 

persons receiving highest number of votes deemed to be elected 20 

in case of tie vote, to be chosen by other delegates. 20 

proceedings for filling such vacancies. 20 

in case of tie vote of a majority, another ballot to be taken at 

once, unless some one objects. 20 

if some one objects caucus to be adjourned. 20 

to receive certificate of election within three week days. 20 

in Boston, etc. 

to nominate candidates to be voted for at a city election. 25 

entire group may be voted for by marking one cross. 34 

to be chosen by ballot. 35 

Delegation to convention may fill vacancy caused by tie vote.... 20 

meeting for purpose, how called. 20 

must organize with chairman and secretary. 20 

must notify secretary of convention of the action. 20 

Disorderly conduct, penalty. 58 

Election commissioners of Boston, (see registrars.) 

False statements, (see penalties.) 

Fraudulent voting, (see penalties.) 





































69 


Elective office, term defined. 10 

Hour, for calling caucuses.22-27 

and day, last, for filing nominations. 47 , 48 

Inspectors, penalties imposed on.52, 53 

(see caucus officers.) 


Majority of vote required to nominate in conventions when made 


by roll call. 42 

Nomination of candidates, may be made by a party when for five 
years it has polled for governor votes equal to number re¬ 
quired on nomination papers. 41 

conventions for, not to be held till four days after caucus. 42 

in conventions, by roll call. 42 

may be made by nomination papers. 43 

other than by a political party designated on papers, etc. 43 

withdrawals of name. 50 

in case of death, vacancy, ineligibility, etc. 50 

Nomination papers relating to caucuses, under provisions re¬ 
lating to Boston, etc. 27 

notices of caucuses shall state place where, day and hour prior 

to which, shall be filed. 26 

notices relative to filing of ; shall be published twice. 27 

blanks to be provided by city or town. 27 

blanks to be prepared by *city or town clerk.• • • •. 27 

blanks to have printed on them provisions of sections ioS to 114 28 
to be delivered to chairman or secretary of political committee 

for whose use they have been prepared..... 28 

to be delivered to them only. 28 

all nominations to be made on.. 28 

to be signed by at least five voters of the party. 28 

to be signed in person by voter. 28 

not to contain more names than there are persons to be elected.. 28 

written acceptance of every candidate to be filed with. 28 

except for delegates, to state residence, other information, etc.. 29 

not over eight words may be added. 29 

for delegates, etc., a brief statement may be added. 29 

time of filing to be endorsed upon. 29 

to be sealed and filed in office of committee ten week days before 

caucus. 29 

not to be opened until time for announcing nominations. 29 

to be publicly opened and publicly announced. 29 

secretary of committee to endorse on, time of receipt. 29 

errors, irregularities in, etc., may be corrected by secretary of 

city or town committee, or by signer of paper. 30 

if none are filed in a city, ward committee may do so. 30 

two sets of papers may be filed in case of disagreement. 30 

if ward committee fail to file, officers of city committee may. 30 

in case of non-receipt in a city. 30 

in case of a vacancy by death or otherwise in a city. 30 

in case of non-receipt in a town. 30 

in case of vacancy by death or otherwise in a town. 31 


*In Boston, election commissioners. 













































70 


Nomination papers relating to caucuses — Continued. 

in case of withdrawal by person nominated. 31 

to be filed with *city or town clerk. 31 

to be filed seven week days before time of holding caucus, before 

5 p. .. 31 

if after delivery errors are found in, to be returned for correction 31 
to be void if corrections are not made and same filed before 

5 p. m. day following. 31 

only names presented on, to be printed on a ballot. 33 

statements on, to be printed on ballots. 33 

Nomination papers relating to elections. 

for nomination by voters. 34 

number of signatures necessary. 43 

to be signed in person, with residence. 44 

women may sign for school committee. 44 

certification and filing of papers. 44 

duties of notary, justice of peace, etc. 45 

blanks to be furnished ... 51 

Notices, 

Applying to parties throughout the state. 

every caucus invalid unless called by printed or written. 18 

for caucuses to apply only to members calling them. 18 

to be sent to each candidate for an elective office of his nomina¬ 
tion and to delegates, etc., of their election. 20 

for caucuses to adopt, etc., provisions applying to Boston. 24 

Applying to parties in cities and towns not having adopted 
provisions applying to Boston. 

of caucuses to be issued seven days prior to day of holding. 21 

to state place, day and hour of holding. 21 

to be posted and published. 21 

to designate person to call caucus to order. 22 

to be given by secretary of place and time of recounts. 23 

Applying to parties in Boston, and cities and towns adopt¬ 
ing provisions applying to said city. 

to state place and time of filing nomination papers and day of 

holding caucuses. 26 

to be issued eighteen days before the day. 26 

seven days’before the da 3 r , to be issued stating place, day and 

hour. 27 

relative to nomination papers to be published. 27 

to be given by registrars or election commissioners of recounts 38 

Oath, to be taken when any person’s right to vote is challenged.... 19 

administration of, to be recorded. 19 

Official ballot, term defined. 10 

Party, political, (see political party.) 

Penalties upon officers. 52 

on officer of a caucus or convention making false count.... 52 

on presiding officer, secretary or clerk of a caucus violating 

section oS. 53 

on caucus officer violating section 91 . 53 


* In Boston, election commissioners. 


































71 


Penalties — Continued. 

on presiding officer of a caucus when right to vote is 

challenged. 53 

on caucus officer, officer or member of political committee 

or convention failing to perform a duty. 53 

upon voters. 54 

for illegal voting or attempting to vote. 54 

for placing mark on ballot. 54 

for allowing marking of ballot to be seen, giving false 

answer or oath. 54 

for violation of section 91 as to taking oath. 54 

for making false statements as to inability to mark ballots 54 

general penalties. 54 

for aiding and abetting in illegal voting. 54 

for altering, depositing or removing ballots with intent to 

cheat. 55 

for falsely making, filing, suppressing, defacing, etc., cer¬ 
tificate, nomination paper or letter. 55 

on notaries, etc., taking oaths of signers to nomination 

papers. 55 

for writing, printing, posting, distributing, etc., anonymous 

circulars, etc. 56 

for posting, circulating, etc., printed matter in and about 

polling places at caucuses and elections. 56 

for defacing, destroying, etc., lists, cards, ballots, supplies, 

etc. 56 

for forging, etc., ballot, or delaying delivery of ballots. 57 

for hindering or delaying a voter. 57 

for interfering with voter, or inducing voter to show ballot. 57 

for marking ballot contrary to law. 57 

for removing a ballot from enclosed space. 58 

for paying, giving or promising anything to influence a 

voter. 58 

for disorderly conduct at caucuses. 58 

for disobeying orders of caucus officers, etc. 58 

for not removing pipe, cigar, liquor, etc., and violating sec¬ 
tion 2 ip . 58 

for giving information regarding challenged votes......... 59 

for violation of provisions relating to corrupt practice. 59 

supreme and superior court to have jurisdiction to enforce.. 59 

Plurality of votes cast, to be deemed to nominate or elect in cau¬ 
cuses . 20 

Political Convention, term defined (see convention). 10 

Political Committees, term defined. 10 

names when chosen, term of office, etc.,. 13 

existing when party first polls three per cent, of vote for 

governor deemed organized. 15 

may make rules, regulations, etc. 16 

shall not prevent voter supporting independent candidate from 

participating in a caucus. 16 

except as provided in act no caucus entitled to choose. 16 

to be chosen by ballot. 22-35 

each member to receive notice of his election. 20 







































72 


Political Committees — Continued. 

member of, may contest election. 22 

when deemed to be organized. 15 

to call special caucuses. 18 

caucuses for election of, to be held same day, and to be 

chosen at caucuses for city or town election. 25 

chairman or secretary of, to receive blank nomination paper 

from officials. 28 

facsimile of signature of secretary of, to be on back of ballots... 33 

penalties imposed on members of..52, 53 

(see state, ward, city and town committee.) 

Political party, term defined. 10 

each to annually elect a state committee. 13 

each in a city to annually elect a ward committee. 14 

each in a town to annually elect a town committee. 14 

committees of a, to consist of not less than three persons. 14 

membership in a, how determined. 16 

no person can act in caucuses of two. 19 

no two, to hold caucuses on the same day. 18 

first filing copy of call of caucuses entitled to precedence.... 18 

oath to be taken by person claiming to be member of a. 19 

may accept provisions of sections applying to Boston, etc. 24 

may revoke acceptance, etc. 24 

proceedings for such purpose. 24 

authorized to make nominations by caucus or convention. 41 

Polling place, term defined. 10 

Polling places, aldermen and selectmen to be notified to prepare..21, 26 

to be provided at the expense of city or town. 21 , 26 

to notify city and town committees of location. 21 , 26 

in city of Boston election commissioners to prepare and assign 

places. 26 

in Boston, etc., to be fitted up as at elections. 26 

when twenty-five voters request, to be arranged to allow voting 

in two or more lines. 27 

ballots, etc., to be delivered at. 35 

specimen ballots to be provided for each. 35 

to be posted in, until polls are closed. 35 

distribution of printed matter, circulars, etc., at, prohibited, 

penalty applying. 56 

Presiding officer, term defined. 10 

to administer oath to voter whose right is challenged. 19 

with secretary and clerk to send a certificate of election or 

notice of nomination to persons entitled. 20 

under provisions applying to Boston, etc. 

ballots to be delivered to, at caucuses. 35 

to post specimen ballots in polling place. 35 

to require challenged person to write name on ballot. 36 

to add name of person challenging, etc. 36 

not to give information in regard to such ballot. 36 

to publicly announce result. 36 

penalties imposed on.52, 53 

(see chairman and warden.) 

Printed matter, distribution of, at caucuses and elections pro¬ 
hibited— penalty... 56 










































73 


Records, of result of balloting-, etc., to be made. 37 

copy of same to be made. 37 

all to be transmitted to *city or town clerk. 37 


Recount of ballots. 

in cities and towns, except in Boston, etc. 22 

notice for, to be filed by candidates, etc., with secretary of 

caucus within three days. ... 22 

notice of, to be given in writing to persons interested. 23 

chairman and secretary of caucus to recount within twenty- 

four hours..... 23 

candidate or his agent may be present. 23 

in Boston, and certain cities and towns. 38 

notice for, to be filed by ten voters with *city or town clerk 

election commissioners in Boston to recount. 38 

registrar of voters in other cities and towns. 38 

candidate or his agent may be present. 39 

Re-division of a city into wards. 

special provisions for election of a ward committee. 15 

♦Registrars, term defined. 10 

to hold extra session for registration before caucus before state 

election. 12 

to furnish last voting list for use in caucuses.-. 12 

to recount ballots in certain cases. 38 


Registration of voters, one session for, to beheld before first cau- 12 
cus preceding annual state election. 


Representative caucuses, special provision relating thereto. 17 

city or town committee to determine dates. 18 


Representative district conventions. 

city and town committees to determine date of holding. 18 

not to be held earlier than 15 days after last date designated for 
caucus for state convention. 18 

Rules and Regulations, state, city and town committee may make 16 

Secretary of caucus, choice of, first business in order at caucus .. 22 

to send certificate to delegates and nominees within three week 

days. 20 

to preserve all ballots and voting lists for ten days or for three 

months upon request. 22 

request for recount to be filed with.. 22 

with chairman to recount ballots. 23 

to give notice to contestants, etc. 23 

penalties imposed on.52,53 

to file certificates of nomination within seventy-two hours suc¬ 
ceeding 5 P. m. of the day caucus was held. 43 

penalty for failure. 53 

Secretary of the city committee (see city and town committee). 


* In Boston, election commissioners. 



































1 4 


Secretary of the Commonwealth, to receive from state, city 

and town committees list of members, officers and vacan¬ 
cies occurring.13,14 

to receive notice from state political committee of call for 

caucus. 18 

to receive from city and town committees notice of adoption or 

revocation of adoption of provisions applying to Boston.... 24 

Secretary of convention, to file certificate of nomination within 
seventy-two hours succeeding 5 p. M. of the day caucus was 


held.. 43 

penalty for failure. 53 


Secretary of state committee (see state committee). 


Secretary of town committee (see city and town committee). 

Selectmen of towns, to provide polling places for holding 

caucuses.21,26 

to notify committees of place selected for holding caucuses... .21,26 

Smoking, etc., at caucuses prohibited. 58 

penalties for violation of law. 58 

Special caucuses for special elections, to be held as political com¬ 
mittees may determine. 18 

chairman and secretary shall issue calls for. 18 

for election of a ward committee in case of a re-division of a 
city into wards. 15 

Specimen ballots, to be furnished by cities and towns. 32 

to be delivered at polling place. 35 

to be posted in polling place. 35 

State committee, to be elected annually. 13 

how constituted, when elected, term of office, etc. 13 

to be organized, when and how. 13 

vacancies in officers or membership to be filled by the committee 

and filed. 13 

may make rules, etc., for its conduct, also relative to caucuses.. 16 

to designate the dates of all caucuses relating to state elections 17 
to forward copy of call to city and town committees, twenty-one 

days prior to date of caucuses. 17 

may designate other days for representative caucuses. 17 

chairman and secretary of. 

to send call for caucuses relating to state elections to city or 

town committees. 17 

to designate dates when representative caucuses may be 

held. 17 

secretary of. 

within ten days to file with secretary of commonwealth, list 

of members, officers, and vacancies occurring. 13 

to send same to city and town committees. 13 

penalties imposed on members of. 53 

State election, term defined. 10 

State officer, term defined. H 

Terms, definition of. 9 

Tie vote, if for delegates to a convention vacancy to be filled by 

remaining delegates. 20 






























75 


Tie vote — Continued. 

if for ward and town committee or caucus officers, vacancy filled 

by elected members. 20 

if for elective office, a majority of a delegation, etc., another 
ballot to be taken at once unless some one objects, then at 
adjourned caucus. 20 

Towns (see cities and towns). 

Town clerks (see city and town clerks). 

Town committee, to be elected annually. 14 

to consist of not less than three persons. 14 

to hold office for one year. 14 

vacancies in officers and membership of, to be filled by the 

committee and filed. 15 

to organize between January i and March x. 14 

in case of a tie vote at election of. 20 

in case of a tie vote for a majority of. 20 

to receive notice of membership of state committee. 13 

to organize by choice of chairman, secretary and treasxirer. 14 

to file organization and any vacancies occurring. 14 

may make rules, etc., for its proceedings and relative to cau¬ 
cuses and fix number of members... 16 

to make rules, etc., restraining paities not entitled to take part 

in caucuses from voting therein. 16 

not to deprive voter supporting independent candidate from 

voting, etc. 16 

to receive copy of caucus call from state committee. 17 

to call all caucuses in their towns.21-25 

to give notice, etc., of caucuses.21-27 

to post notices on five lines of travel and in every post-office.... 21 

to notify selectmen to provide polling places. 21 

to determine date of representative caucuses. 18 

has power to take action relative to adoption of provisions 

applying to Boston, etc. 24 

to appoint caucus officers for first caucus after adoption. 41 

to call caucus to order in certain towns in absence of temporary 

chairman. 22 

cannot serve as a caucus officer if a candidate for any office.... 22 
to file notice of adoption or revocation of special Boston provi¬ 
sions. 24 

penalties imposed on members of. 53 

(see city and town committee.) 

Town election, term defined. 11 

Town officer, term defined. 11 

Two leading political parties, term defined. 11 

Vacancy, in officers of state, city and town committee, how filled.13,15 


caused by tie vote for delegates, to be filled by remaining dele¬ 
gates . 20 

caused by tie vote for members of town and ward committees 

and caucus officers to be filled by members elected. 20 

in list of nominees on nomination papers for a caucus. 28 

in caucus officers. 40 

in list of nominees for election. 50 







































76 


Voter may make one mark against a group of candidates...... 34 

may vote for one or more candidates in a group by making a 

cross against each name, etc. 34 

supporting independent candidates not to be prevented from 

voting in a caucus. 16 

not to be prevented from voting in a caucus if he takes a pre¬ 
scribed oath. 19 

taking oath may be challenged. 19 

number of ballots furnished for caucuses not to exceed one for 

each. 32 

Voters, upon written request of fifty, caucuses to be called for 

adoption of Boston provisions. 24 

upon request of twenty-five, polling places to be arranged for 

voting in two lines. 27 

nomination papers to be signed by five legal. 28 

officers not to give information in regard to ballot cast by chal¬ 
lenged. 36 

votes to be counted in full view of... 36 

petitions for recounts by.22, 38 

additional caucus officers to be selected upon petition of fifty... 40 

Voting lists to be furnished by ^registrar. 12 

to be used in balloting as check lists. 19 

persons whose names are not on, not entitled to vote in 

caucuses. 20 

to be sent to polling places by *city or town clerks. 35 

record to be made of names checked on. 36 

to be returned, sealed up with ballots, etc., to *city or town 

clerks. 37 

to be kept for three months. 22 

to be used at a recount. 22, 38 

in Boston, copy of, as used and checked in a caucus to be fur¬ 
nished upon application of ten voters. 38 

Ward Committee, to be chosen annually. 14 

to consist of not less than three members. 14 

term of office, one year from January . 14 

organization, when and how made. 14 

shall constitute a city committee. 14 

in case of a tie vote. 14 

special provisions for election of, in case of the re-division of a 

city into wards. 15 

may request secretary of city committee to arrange certain 

names on ballot alphabetically. 33 

caucuses for choice of, under provisions applying to Boston, etc., 


day to be same for caucuses relating to a city election. 25 

to be notified if nomination papers have not been filed. 30 

to file nomination papers in certain cases. 30 

residence shall be given on nomination papers, also on ballots 29, 33 
names on ballots to be arranged in groups or may be alphabeti¬ 
cally by request, etc... 33 


*In Boston, election commissioners. 





































77 


Ward Committee — Continued. 

member of, not eligible for a caucus officer. 39 

candidate for, cannot serve as a caucus officer. 39 

vacancies in officers and membership of, to be filled by the com¬ 
mittee and filed. 15 

to call a caucus to order in certain cities in absence of tem¬ 
porary chairman. 22 

penalties imposed on members of. 53 

Warden, to cause specimen ballots to be posted in polling places.. 35 

duties to be similar to those of warden, at elections. 40 

to accept challenged votes. 36 

to make public announcement of result of balloting. 36 

to cause clerk to make record of same. 37 

with clerk of caucus to endorse package containing votes, etc... 37 

to transmit same to *city or town clerk. 37 

penalties imposed on.52, 53 

with clerk of caucus, to notify delegates, etc., elected. 20 

(see presiding officer.) 

(see caucus officers.) 


*In Boston, election commissioners. 


















0 







N 








































APPENDIX 



CONTAINING 

THE SECTIONS OF THE ELECTION LAW 
RELATING TO CORRUPT PRACTICES 

ALSO 

INFORMATION AS TO 

QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS 
AND NATURALIZATION 

WITH 

A LIST OF ELECTION DISTRICTS 

AND 


A POLITICAL CALENDAR FOR 1899. 



2 


s 


TITLE IX. 

1. CORRUPT PRACTICES. 


Section 282. No person shall, in order to aid or 
promote his own nomination as a candidate for public 
office, by caucus, convention or nomina¬ 
tion paper, directly or indirectly, by him¬ 
self or through another person, or by a 
political committee, give, pay, expend or 
contribute, or promise to give, pay, ex¬ 
pend or contribute, any money or other 
valuable thing, except for personal ex- 


Candidates 

for 

nomination 
not to pay 
money except 
for personal 
expenses. 


penses as hereinfter provided. 

Section 283. No person shall, in order to aid or pro¬ 
mote his own nomination or election to a public office, 
directly or indirectly, by himself or through 
another person, promise to appoint, or 
promise to secure or assist in securing 
the appointment, nomination or election 
of another person to a public position or 
employment or to a position of honor, 
trust or emolument, except that he may announce or 
define what is his choice or purpose in relation to an 
election in which he may be called to take part, if 


Candidates 

for 

nomination 
or election not 
to promise 
appoint¬ 
ments, etc. 


elected. 

Candidates 
for election 
not to pay 
money, etc., 
except for 
personal 
expenses, and 
to a political 
committee. 


Section 284. No person shall, in 
order to aid or promote his own election to 
a public office, directly or indirectly, by 
himself or through another person, give, 
pay, expend or contribute, or promise to 
give, pay, expend or contribute, any 
money or other valuable thing, except 


3 



Candidates 
may incur 
certain 
personal 
expenses. 


for personal expenses or to a political committee as 
hereinafter provided. 

Section 285. A candidate for nomination or for 
election to a public office, and any other person may 
incur and pay, in connection with such 
nomination or election, his own personal 
expenses for travelling and for purposes 
properly incidental to travelling; for 
writing, printing and preparing for trans¬ 
mission any letter, circular or other publication not 
issued at regular intervals, whereby he may state his 
position or views upon public or other questions; for 
stationery and postage, for telegraph, telephone and 
other public messenger service, and for other petty per- 
not to be sonal purposes, but all such expenses 

included in shall be limited to those which are 
statement. directly incurred and paid by him. Suth 
personal expenses need not be included in any statement 
required of him. 

Section 286. A person nominated as a candidate 
or voted for with his assent for public office, may make 
a voluntary payment of money or a 
voluntary and unconditional promise of 
payment of money to a political com¬ 
mittee for the promotion of the principles 
of the party which it represents, and for 
its general purposes. 

Section 287. The term “political committee” under 
the provisions of this act relating to corrupt practices 
shall apply to every committee or com- 
poiiticai bination of three or more persons who 

committee shall aid or promote the success or defeat 
of a political party or principle in a 


Candidates 
may make 
voluntary 
payment to a 
committee. 


defined. 


4 




public election or shall aid or take part in the nomina¬ 
tion, election or defeat of a candidate for public office. 

Every political committee shall have a 
treasurer, who is a voter of the Common¬ 
wealth, and shall cause him to keep 
detailed accounts of all money, or its 


committee to 
Have 

treasurer. 


treasurer to 

keep detailed equivalent, received by or promised to 

accounts. the comm ittee, or by or to any person 

acting under its authority or in its behalf, and of all 

expenditures, disbursements and promises of payment 

or disbursement made by the committee or by any 

person acting under its authority or in its behalf. No 

person acting under its authority or 

behalf shall receive any money or its 

equivalent, or expend or disburse the 

payments are same un til the committee has chosen 
made. 

a treasurer. 


treasurer to 
He cliosen 
before any 


Section 288. Whoever, acting under the authority 
or in behalf of a political committee, receives any money 
or its equivalent, or promise of the same, 
or expends or incurs any liability to pay 
the same, shall, on demand, and in any 
event within fourteen days after such 
receipt, expenditure, promise or liability, 
give to the treasurer a detailed account of the same, with 
all vouchers required by this act, which shall be a part of 
the accounts and files of such treasurer. 

Section 289. The treasurer of every political com¬ 
mittee which receives, expends or disburses any money 
or its equivalent, or incurs any liability to pay money 


Treasurer 
may demaud 
agent to 
account to 
Him. 


5 


in connection with any nomination or 
election to an amount exceeding twenty 
dollars, shall, within thirty days after 
such election, file a statement setting 
forth all the receipts, expenditures, dis¬ 
bursements and liabilities of the com¬ 
mittee, and of every officer and other 
person acting under its authority or in its 
behalf. It shall include the amount in each case received, 
the name of the person or committee from whom received,, 
the date of its receipt, the amount of every expenditure 
or disbursement, the name of the person or committee to 
whom it was made, and the date thereof; and, except 
where such expenditure or disbursement 
statement, to was mac i e to another political committee, 
details. shall clearly state the purpose of such 

expenditure or disbursement; also the 
date and amount of every existing promise or liability, 
both to and from such committee, remaining unfulfilled 
and .in force when the statement is made, the name of 
the person or committee to or from whom the unfulfilled 
promise or liability exists, and a clear statement of the 
purpose for which the promise or liability was made or 
incurred. 

Section 290. Whoever, acting otherwise than under 
the authority or in behalf of a political committee having 
a treasurer, receives money or its equiv- 

other persons a j ent or expends or disburses, or promises 
who receive . . 

and expend to expend or disburse money or its equiv- 

money to alent, to an amount exceeding twenty 

statement. dollars, to aid or promote the success 01- 

defeat of a political party or principle in 
any election, or to aid or influence the nomination, elec- 


Treasnrer 
to Ale 

statement if 
receipts, etc., 
exceed twenty 
dollars 
within SO 
days after an 
election. 


6 




tion or defeat of a candidate for office, shall file in the 
city or town where he is a voter, the statement required 
by the preceding section, and shall be subject to all the 
duties required by this act of a political committee or the 
treasurer thereof; but no person except 
a voter of the Commonwealth shall re¬ 
ceive, expend or disburse any money or 
its equivalent or promise to expend or 
disburse any money or its equivalent, for 
either of the purposes above named, 
except for personal expenses as is herein 
provided, or under the authority or in behalf of a political 
committee. 

Section 291. No person shall, directly or indirectly, 
by himself or through another person, 
make a payment or promise of payment 
to a political committee or to any person 
acting under its authority or in its behalf, 
in any name except his own; nor shall 
such committee or person knowingly re¬ 
ceive a payment or promise of payment, 
or enter or. cause the same to be entered 
in the accounts or records of such com¬ 
mittee, in any other name than that of 
the person by whom it is made. 

Section 292. No political committee, and no person 
acting under its authority or in its behalf, shall demand, 
solicit, ask or invite a payment of money 
or promise of payment of money to 
be used in an election, from a person 
who has been nominated as a candidate 
for office in such election; and no such 
candidate shall make any such payment 
to a political committee or to any person 


legal voters 
only to 
receive or 
expend 
money except 
for personal 
expenses or 
through a 
committee. 


Wo person to 
make 
payments 
other than in 
his own 
name. 

money 
received not 
to he entered 
in any other 
name than 
that of the 
giver. 


Candidates 
not to he 
solicited for 
money. 

prohibited 
from giving 
when 
solicited. 


acting under its authority or in its behalf, if such com¬ 
mittee or person has demanded, solicited, asked or invited 
from him any such payment or promise of payment. 


Section 293. No political committee and no person 
who is required to file a statement under the eleven 
preceding sections, shall make any pay¬ 
ment or promise of payment of money 
to or in behalf of any person, for natural¬ 
ization fees or for services as counsel or 
otherwise in assisting any one to obtain naturalization. 

Section 294. The statement required by section 
two hundred and eighty-nine of this act shall be filed 
with the clerk of the city or town where 
the treasurer is a voter, or, if the polit¬ 
ical committee has headquarters, with 
the clerk of the city or town where such 
headquarters are maintained at the time of the election 
to which the statement relates. A statement relating 
to any other than a city or town election, 
or an election by a city council or by 
either branch thereof, shall be filed in 
duplicate, and one copy shall be forth¬ 
with forwarded by the city or town clerk 
to the secretary of the Commonwealth. Every person 
making a. statement required by the provisions of this 
act shall make oath that the same is in 
all respects correct and true to the best 
of his knowledge and belief. 


Payment of 
naturaliza¬ 
tion fees 
prohibited. 


Treasurer to 
tile statement 
with city or 
town cleric. 


in duplicate 
when 
relating to 
other than a 
city election 


under oath. 


Section 295. The secretary of the Commonwealth 
Secretary Of shall inspect all statements filed with 
the him under the preceding section, within 

wealth to sixty days after the same are filed, and 


inspect all 
statements 
tiled with 
him. 

persons to be 
notified if 
statement is 
incorrect or 
complaint 
made. 

complaints to 
l>e filed 
within 60 
days after 
election or 
within 30 
days after 
filing 
statement. 


upon discovery that any such statement 
does not conform to law, or upon com¬ 
plaint in writing of five registered voters 
that such statement does not conform 
to law or to the truth, or that any person 
has failed to file a statement required 
by law, said secretary shall, in writing, 
notify the delinquent person. 

Such complaint shall state in detail 
the grounds of objection, be sworn to 
by one of the subscribers and be filed 
with said secretary within sixty days 
after the election in question or within 
thirty days after the filing of a statement 
or amended statement. 


Section 296. Upon the failure to file a statement 
or amended statement within ten days after receiving 
notice under the preceding section the 
secretary shall notify the proper district 
attorney, who shall, within two months, 
begin civil or criminal proceedings in the 
name of the Commonwealth. 


District 
Attorney may 
institute 
proceedings 
in certain 
cases. 


Section 297. In the case of any statement relating 
to city or town elections, or to an election on. the part of 
a city council, or of either branch thereof, 
the provisions of the preceding sections 
shall apply to the respective city or town 
clerks instead of to the secretary of the 
Commonwealth. 


Statements 
relating to 
city and 
town 

elections, etc 


Section 298. The supreme judicial court or the 
superior court may compel any person who fails to file a 


9 




statement as above required, or who files 
a statement which does not conform 
thereto in respect to its truth, sufficiently 
in detail, or otherwise, to file a sufficient 
statement, upon the application of the 
district attorney or petition of any candidate voted for, 
or of any five persons qualified to vote at the election on 
account of which the expenditures, or any part thereof, 
were made or are alleged to have been 
made. Such petition shall be brought 
within sixty days after such election, if 
the statement was filed within the thirty 
days required, but a petition may be filed 
within thirty days of any payment not 
included in the statement so filed. 


Equity 
powers of 
court 

proceedings 

etc. 


complaints 
to lt»e tiled 
witliin 60 
days after 
election, tmt 
may be 
witliin 30 
days. 


proceedings 
to be 

advanced. 

no petition 
to be 

discontinued 

without 

consent. 


Proceedings under this section shall 
be advanced upon the request of either 
party for speedy trial. 

No petition brought under this act 
shall be discontinued without the consent 
of the attorney-general. 


Section 299. No person called to testify in any 
proceedings under the preceding section 
shall be liable to criminal prosecution 
under this act or otherwise, for any mat¬ 
ters or causes in respect of which he shall 
be examined, or to which his testimony 
shall relate, except to prosecution for 
perjury committed in such testimony. 


Witnesses 
not liable 
to 

prosecution 
except for 
perjury. 



10 


Statements to 
toe kept 
tlfteen 
months and 
to toe open to 
the putolic. 


Section 300. All statements shall 
be preserved for fifteen months after the 
election to which they relate, and shall, 
under reasonable regulations, be open to 
public inspection. 

Section 301. Every payment required to be ac¬ 
counted for shall, unless the total expense payable to any 

Vout 1 e s for one P erson * s ^ ess th an ^ ve dollars, be 
payment over vouched for by a receipted bill stating 
hve dollars the particulars of expense, and every 
required. voucher, receipt or account hereby re¬ 
quired shall be preserved for six months after the elec¬ 
tion to which it relates. 

Section 302. The Secretary of the Commonwealth 
shall provide every city and town, at the expense of 
the Commonwealth, with blank forms, 
approved by the secretary of the Corn- 
provided. monwealth, the treasurer and receiver 
general, and the auditor of accounts, suitable for the 
statements above required. 

Section 303. The provisions of this act relative to 
corrupt practices shall apply to all public 
elections, except of town officers, and to 
elections by the general court and by city 
councils, and by either branch thereof, to 
the nomination by caucuses and conven¬ 
tions and nomination papers of candidates to be voted 
for at such elections. Sections two hundred and eighty- 

not to apply two, two hundred and eighty-four, and 
to certain . . . , r t . 

publishers. two hundred and ninety-one of this act 
shall not apply to the proprietors and publishers of pub¬ 
lications issued at regular intervals, in respect to the ordi¬ 
nary conduct of their business. 


Blank forms 
to toe 


To whom the 
provisions of 
act relative to 
corrupt 
practices 
applies. 


11 


QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS. 


A MAN TO VOTE AT AN ELECTION IN MASSA¬ 
CHUSETTS 

Must be a citizen of the United States by birth or naturali¬ 
zation. 

(The last day for getting naturalized depends upon the different courts, 
but must be before the close of registration.) 

Must be at least twenty-one years old, although one under 
age can be registered if he will be of age at the time of the 
next election. 

Must, unless he had the right to vote in this state on May i, 
1857, or is physically disabled from doing so, be able to write 
his name and read in English the Constitution of the State. 

Must have resided in the state one year, and in the city or 
town where he votes, six months next preceding such election. 

Must not be under guardianship, nor a pauper (unless an 
honorably discharged veteran soldier or sailor.) 

Must have his name upon the list of registered voters; but 
one who changes his residence within the state retains for six 
months the right to vote for national or state officers in the 
place from which he removes. 

Must have been assessed for a Poll Tax on the 
preceding First of May. (Any person, however, whose 
name is not properly entered on the list of those liable for a 
poll tax on May 1, 1899, may be assessed by proving to the 
Board of Assessors, his right to be assessed.) 

The payment of any Poll or other Tax is not 
a Prerequisite for Registration or Voting in Mas¬ 
sachusetts. 

A person qualified to vote in a city or town divided into 
wards or voting precincts, shall be registered and be entitled 
to vote in the ward or voting precinct in which he resided on 
the first day of May preceding the election, or. if he became 
an inhabitant of such city or town after such first day of May, 
in the ward or voting precinct in which he first became a 
resident. 



12 


N ATURALIZ ATION. 

Naturalization papers can be taken out in the United 
States Circuit or District Courts (in Post Office Building, 
Boston), or in the Supreme Judicial or Superior Court of the 
County in which the applicant resides, or in the nearest Dis¬ 
trict, Police or Municipal Court. 

Aliens honorably discharged from the army, or showing 
five years continuous service in the navy, may become citizens 
upon making proof of one year’s residence in the county 
without previous declaration of intention. 

Chinese, Japanese and Burmese, cannot be naturalized. 

Children under 21 at the time of the naturalization of their 
parents, and residing with them at the time, or born after 
such naturalization, are deemed citizens of the U. S. 

American citizens legally throwing off such citizenship 
must be naturalized to re-acquire it. 

An Allen to Become a Naturalized Citizen 

When applying to any Massachusetts court, must give 
notice to the clerk of the city or town where he resides, four¬ 
teen days before the time set for his naturalization. Such 
notices must state that . he has applied for naturalization, 
give name, age, occupation, and residence. The city or town 
clerk will issue a certificate that he has complied with the 
law. The fee for this certificate is fifty cents. No notice is 
required if application is made in the U. S. courts. 

If he comes to this country before he is eighteen 

he is required to take out only one set of papers; these can 
be taken out at any time. 

If he comes to this country after he is eighteen 

he must take out two sets of papers. 

Where two sets of papers are required, two years must elapse 
after the first set are taken out before he can take out the 
second. In neither case can he become a citizen until he is 21 
^nd has resided in the U. S. five years. 


13 


Second or Final Papers. 

In a Massachusetts court he must file with his application 
the certificate of first application at that time furnished by 
the city or town clerk. This is not required in a United 
States Court. 

Must take to the clerk of the court the certificate showing 
that first papers have been granted. 

Must renounce allegiance to the ruler of the country of his 
birth, and certify as to his residence in this country. 

Will be informed by clerk of court when to appear before 
the court. On the date set must be accompanied by two wit¬ 
nesses, citizens of this country, who must in open court make 
oath that he has lived in the U. S. five years. 


FEES: 

For making out first or second papers by clerk 

of court, $1.00 

(The applicant or any other person may make out 

these papers in which case no fee is charged.) i.oo 

For filing first papers by clerk of court, 

For filing second papers, 2.00 

For copy of any naturalization paper if required for 

any cause, t- 00 

In the Massachusetts courts the fee is not returned if the 
applicant is refused. 

In the U. S. courts no charge is usually made unless the 
applicant is successful. 

The payment by any one except the applicant of money for 
fees for services in obtaining naturalization, is prohibited 
under penalty in Massachusetts. 

Blank forms for naturalization may be obtained of clerks 
of courts, and generally at political headquarters. 





14 


ELECTION DISTRICTS 

IN THE 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 


CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. 

As Established by Chapter 39 G, Acts of 1891 , and Chapter 
519 , Acts of 1896 .] 


DISTRICT NUMBER ONE. 

All of Berkshire County; Aslitield, Bernardston, Buckland, 
Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, 
Heath, Leyden, Monroe, Rowe, Shelburne and Whateley in Franklin 
County ; Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Hatfield, Huntington 
Middlefield, Plainfield, Southampton,Westhampton, Williamsburg 
and Worthington in Hampshire County ; Agawam, Blandford, 
Chester, Granville, Holyoke, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, 
Tolland, Westfield and West Springfield in Hampden County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER TWO. 

Erving, Leverett, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, 
Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick and Wendell in Franklin Coun¬ 
ty ; Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, Enfield, Granby, Green¬ 
wich, Hadley, Northampton, Pelham, Prescott, South Hadley and 
Ware in Hampshire County; Brimfield, Chicopee, Hampden, Hol¬ 
land, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, Springfield, Wales 
and Wilbraham in Hampden County; Athol, Barre, Brookfield, 
Dana, Hardwick, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Peter¬ 
sham, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton, Warren, West Brookfield 
and Winchendon in Worcester County. 


DISTRICT NUMBER THREE. 


Auburn, Blackstone, Charlton. Douglas, Dudley, Grafton, Hol¬ 
den, Leicester, Mendon, Millbury, Northbridge, Oxford, Paxton, 
Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, 
Upton, Uxbridge, Webster, Westborough, West Boylston, and 
Worcester in Worcester County; Hopkinton in Middlesex 
County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR. 


Ashburnham, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gard¬ 
ner, Harvard, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, 
Northborough, Princeton, Southborough, Sterling and Westmins¬ 
ter in Worcester County ; Acton, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, 
Billerica, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, 
Dunstable, Framingham, Groton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, 
Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Natick, Pepperell, Shirley, Stow, 
Sudbury, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Waltham, Wayland, Westfora 
and Weston in Middlesex County; Wellesley in Norfolk County. 




15 



NGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.—Continued. 


DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE. 

Dracut, Lowell, North Reading, Reading, Tewksbury, Wilming¬ 
ton and Woburn in Middlesex County; Andover, Lawrence, Lynn- 
field, Methuen, North Andover and Peabody in Essex County.' 

DISTRICT NUMBER SIX. 

Amesbury, Beverly, Boxford, Bradford, Danvers, Essex, 
Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, 
Manchester, Marblehead, Merrimac, Middleton, Newbury, New- 
buryport, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Swanipscott, Tops- 
field, Wenham and West Newbury in Essex County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN. 

Lynn, Nahant and Saugus in Essex County; Everett, Malden, 
Melrose, Stoneham and Wakefield in Middlesex County; Wards 
Nos. 4 and 5, Boston, Chelsea and Revere in Suffolk County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT. 

Boston Wards 10 and 11; Arlington, Cambridge, Medford, 
Somerville and Winchester in Middlesex County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER NINE. 

Wards 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, Boston, and Winthrop. 

DISTRICT NUMBER TEN. 

Wards 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 24, Boston ; Milton and 
Quincy in Norfolk County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER ELEVEN. 

Wards 21, 22, 23 and 25, Boston ; Belmont, Holliston, Newton, 
Sherborn and Watertown in Middlesex County; Hopedale and 
Milford in Worcester County ; Bellingham, Brookline, Dedham, 
Dover, Foxborough, Franklin, Hyde Park, Medtield, Medway, 
Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Norwood, Sharon, Walpole and Wrentham 
in Norfolk County ; North Attleborough in Bristol County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER TWELVE. 

Avon, Braintree, Canton, Cohasset, Holbrook, Randolph, Stough¬ 
ton and Weymouth in Norfolk County; Abington, Bridgewater, 
Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax. Hanover, 
Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middle- 
borough, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Scit- 
uate, West Bridgewater and Whitman in Plymouth County ; 
Attleborough, Berkley, Dighton, Easton, Mansfield, Norton, Rayn- 
ham, Rehoboth, Seekonk and Taunton in Bristol County. 

DISTRICT NUMBER THIRTEEN. 

Barnstable County, Dukes County and Nantucket. 

Marion Mattapoisett, Rochester and Wareham In Plymouth 
[County ; Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown 
Kjew Bedford, Somerset, Swanzey and Westport in Bristol Co- 




16 


COUNCILLOR DISTRICTS. 


As Established by Chapter 509 of the Acts of 1896 . 


DISTRICT NUMBER ONE. 

The Cape, First and Second Plymouth, and the Second and Third 
Bristol Senatorial Districts. 

Cape District.—The County of Barnstable; and the County of 
Dukes and Nantucket. 

Plymouth District.—The County of Plymouth and town of 
Cohasset in Norfolk County, 

Bristol District.—Acushnet, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, 
Fall River, Freetown, New Bedford, Somerset, Swanzey, and West- 
port in the County of Bristol. 


DISTRICT NUMBER TWO. 

The First Bristol First and Second Norfolk, and Seventh and 
Eighth Suffolk Senatorial Districts. 

Bristol District.—Attleborough, Berkley, Easton, Mansfield, 
North Attleborough, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and 
Taunton in the County of Bristol. 

Norfolk District.—The County of Norfolk except the town of 
Cohasset. 

Suffolk District.—Wards 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, Boston. 


DISTRICT NUMBER THREE. 

The First and Second Suffolk, and the First, Second, and Third 
Middlesex Senatorial Districts. 

Suffolk District.—Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, and Wards 
Nos. 1, 3, 4. and 5, Boston. 

Middlesex District. — Arlington, Ashland, Belmont, Cam¬ 
bridge, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, 
Sherborn, Somerville, Watertown and Weston in the County of 
Middlesex. 


DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR. 

The Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Ninth Suffolk Senatorial 

Districts. 

Suffolk District.—Wards Nos. 2, 6, 7,8, 9, 10,11,12, 13, 14,15,17, 
"d 25, Boston. 







COUNCILLOR DISTRICTS. —Continued 


DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE. 

The First, Second, Third and Fourth Essex, and the Middlesex and 
Essex Senatorial Districts. 

Essex District.—Amesbury, Beverly, Bradford, Danvers, Essex, 
Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, 
Wards Nos. 1, 2,3, 4, 5, and 7, Lynn, Manchester, Marblehead, Merri- 
mac, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, 
Salisbury, Swampscott, Wenbam and West Newbury in the County 
of Essex. 

Middlesex and Essex Districts.—Ward No. 6, Lynn, Lynnfield, 
Middleton, North Reading, Peabody, Saugus, Stoneham, Wakefield, 
and Woburn, in the counties of Middlesex and Essex. 


DISTRICT NUMBER SIX. 

The Essex, and the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Middlesex 
Senatorial Districts. 

Essex District.—Andover, Boxford, Lawrence, Methuen, 
North Andover, and Topsfield, in the county of Essex. 

niddlesex Districts.—Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford. Billerica, 
Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, 
Dunstable, Everett, Groton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Little¬ 
ton, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, 
Pepperell, Reading, Shirley, Stow, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Towns¬ 
end, Tyngsborough, Waltham, Wayland, Westford, Wilmington, 
and Winchester, in the county of Middlesex. 


DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN. 

The First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Worcester Senatorial 

Districts. 

Worcester Districts.—All of Worcester County. 


DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT. 

— Berkshire and Hampshire, Franklin, an H 
■w«**vnden Senatorial r ‘* 








18 


SENATORIAL DISTRICTS. 


As Established by Chapter 509 of the Acts of 1896. 

The County of Suffolk. 

(Including Ward 3, Cambridge, Middlesex County)—Nine Sen¬ 
ators. 

First District.— Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, and Ward No. 1, 
Boston. 

Second District.—Wards Nos. 3, 4, and 5, Boston, and Ward 3, 
Cambridge. 

Third District.— Wards Nos. 2, 6, and 8, Boston. 

Fourth District.— Wards Nos. 7, 9, and 17, Boston. 

Fifth District.—Wards Nos. 10,12, and 18, Boston. 

Sixth District.—Wards Nos. 13, 14, and 15, Boston. 

Seventh District.—Wards Nos. 16, 20, and 24, Boston. 

Eighth District.—Wards Nos. 21, 22, and 23, Boston. 

Ninth District.—Wards Nos. 11,19, and 25, Boston. 

The Counties of Essex and Middlesex. —Thirteen 

Senators. 

First Essex District.—Wards Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, Lynn, 
Nahant, and Sjvampscott. 

Second Essex District.—Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, and 
Salem. 

Third Essex District.—Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, 
Manchester, Newbury, Newburyport, Rockport, Rowley, and Wen- 
ham. 

Fourth Essex District.—Amesbury, Bradford, Georgetown, 
Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimac, Salisbury, and West Newbury. 

Fifth Essex District.—Andover, Boxford, Lawrence, Methuen, 
North Andover, and Topsfleld. 

First niddlesex District.—Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, 
Ilopkinton, Natick, Newton, Sherborn, Watertown, and Weston. 

Second niddlesex District.—Wards Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 6, Cam¬ 
bridge. 

Third niddlesex District.—Arlington, Belmont, and Somer¬ 
ville. 

Fourth niddlesex District.—Everett, Malden, and Melrose. 

Fifth niddlesex District,—Lexington, Lincoln, Marlborough, 
Medford, Sudbury, Waltham, Wayland, and Winchester. 

Sixth niddlesex District.—Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, 
Billerica, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Dunstable, 
Groton, Hudson, Littleton, Wards Nos. 5 and 9, Lowell, Maynard, 
Pepperell, Reading, Shirley, Stow, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngs- 
borough, Westford, and Wilmington. 

Seventh Middlesex District.—Chelmsford, Dracut, and Wards 
' T ns. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8, Lowell. 

" J ddlesex and Essex District. - Ward No. 6, Lynn. 

Peabody, and Saugus, in the 
">eham w ~’-'" 




19 


SENATORIAL DISTRICTS.— Continued. 


The County of Worcester.— Five Senators. 

First District.— Wards Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, Worcester. 

Second District.— Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Clinton, Harvard, 
Holden. Lancaster, Sterling, West Boylston, and Wards Nos. 1, 2, 
and 3, Worcester. 

Third District.— Ashburnham, Athol, Fitchburg, Gardner, 
Leominster, Lunenburg, Royalston, Westminster, and Winchen- 
don. 

Fourth District.— Barre, Brookfield, Charlton, Dana, Dudley, 
Hardwick, Hubbardston, Leicester, New Braintree, North Brook¬ 
field, Oakham, Paxton, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Rut¬ 
land, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Templeton, Warren, 
Webster, and West Brookfield. 

Fifth District.— Auburn, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hope- 
dale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Northborough, Northbridge, 
Oxford, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, and 
Westborough. 


The Counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and 
Hampshire —Five Senators. 

Berkshire District.— Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton, 
Florida, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, New Ashford, North 
Adams, Peru, Pittsfield, Savoy, Williamstown, and Windsor, in the 
county of Berkshire. 

Berkshire and Hampshire District.— Alford, Becket, Egre- 
mont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, 
New Marlborough, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, Stock- 
bridge, Tyringham, Washington, and West Stockbridge, in the 
county of Berkshire; Chesterfield, Cummington, Easthampton, 
Goshen, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Middlefield, Northampton, 
Plainfield, South Hadley, Southampton, Westhampton, Williams¬ 
burg, and Worthington, in the county of Hampshire; and Bland- 
ford, Chester, and Russell, in the county of Hampden. 

Franklin and Hampshire District. —Ashfield, Bernardston, 
Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, 
Greenfield, Hawlev, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, 
New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, 
Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately, in the county of 
'^nklin; and Amherst, Belchertown, Enfield, Granby, Greenwich 

I ^tfcott, and Ware, in the county of Hampshire 
Xpden District.— Brimfield, Holland lv/r 
X^and Wilbraham. 




20 


SENATORIAL DISTRICTS .—Continued. 


The County Of Norfolk (excluding Cohasset)—Two Senators. 

First District — Braintree, Canton, Holbrook, Hyde Park, 
Milton, Quincy, Randolph and Weymouth. 

Second District —Avon, Bellingham, Brookline, Dedham, 
Dover, Foxborough, Franklin, Medfield, Med way, Millia, Needham, 
Norfolk, Norwood, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley and 
Wrentham. 


The County of Plymouth. 

(Including Cohasset, in Norfolk County)—Two Senators. 

First District —Abington, Carver, Cohasset (Norfolk County) 
Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, 
Hull, Kingston, Marshfield. Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plymp- 
ton, Rockland, Scituate and Whitman. 

Second District — Bridgewater, Brockton, Lakeville, Marion, 
Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Rochester, Wareham and West 
Bridgewater. 


The County of Bristol. —Three Senators. 

First District — Attleborough, Berkley, Easton, Mansleld, 
North Attleborough, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk and 
Taunton. 

Second District—Dighton, Fall River, Somerset and Swanzey. 
Third District — Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, 
New Bedford and Westport. 


The Counties of Barnstable, Dukes County and 
Nantucket —One Senator. 

Cape District — Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Den¬ 
nis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Province- 
town, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet and Yarmouth, in the County of 
Barnstable; Chilmark, Cottage City, Edgartown, Gay Head, Gos- 
nold, Tisbury and West Tisbury, in the county of Dukes, and 
Nantucket. 




Ut lu 0 .V d -“n *»« 




21 


Massachusetts Political Calendar, 1899. 


July 1.— Registration opens in all the cities and towns in the state. Reg¬ 

istration in Boston from July i to October 5, 9 a. m. to 5 p. m.; 
from October 1 to October 18, 9 a. m. to 10 p. m. Saturdays during 
July and August, from 9 to 12. 

Sept. 30 .— Last day for appointing election officers in cities. 

Oct. 1 .—Last day for assessment in Boston. 

Oct. S.— Evening Registration opens in Boston in the several wards from 

6 p. m. to 10 P. M. 

Oct. 7. —Last day for holding Conventions for nominating candidates to 

be voted for at large throughout the State. 

Oct. 8. —Last day for Registrars of Voters in every city and town except 

Boston, to post in each voting precinct copies of the voting lists. 

Oct. 8 .—Last day for designating polling places. 

Oct. 9 .—Certificates of nomination of candidates to be voted for at large 
throughout the State must be filed at the office of the Secretary of 
the Commonwealth before 5 p. m.* 

Oct. 12.— Earliest day for holding Representative Conventions. 

Oct. 14 .—Last day for Election Commissioners in Boston to post at each 
voting precinct copies of the voting lists. 

Oct. 15 .—Last day for appointing election officers in towns. 

Oct. 16. —Nomination papers for candidates to be voted for at large 
throughout the State MUST be filed at the office of the Secretary of 
the Commonwealth before 5 P. m.* 

Oct. 17 .—Last day for petitioning for the appointment of supervisors of 
elections. 

Oct. 17 .—Last day for holding Conventions for nominating candidates for 
State officers not voted for at large throughout the State. 

Oct. 18 .—Last day before State election for registration in all cities. On 
this day Registrars must hold a continuous session from 12 M. (in 
Boston from 9 a. m.) to 10 p. M. 

Oct. 19 .—Certificates of nominations of candidates for State office- 
voted for at large throughout the State must be filed at th- 
the Secretary of the Commonwealth before 5 p. m. 

Oct. 20.— Nomination papers of candidates not vote ’ 
out the State must be filed at the offm 
Commonwealth before 5 p. m.* 

Oct. 24. —Last day for filing com-' 
registration in cities. 

^^^t. 28. —Registration in 
* w-Last day 
^ T as* 



22 


SEP 13 1899 

Dates of closing of Registration. Filing of Certificates 
Nomination, Nomination Papers, City Elections, Etc. 

In Chicopee, Fall River, Fitchburg, Gloucester, Haverhill, Holyoke, 
Lawrence, Malden, Marlboro, New Bedford, Northampton, Pittsfield, 
Quincy, Somerville, Springfield, Taunton and Waltham. 

Nov. 15. — Last day before City election for registration. Registrars 
must hold a continuous session from 12 m. till 10 p. m. 

Nov. 20. —Last day for holding conventions for nomination of candi¬ 
dates. 

Nov. 22. —Certificates of nomination must be filed with City Clerk 
before 5 p. m.* 

Nov. 24. —Nomination papers must be filed with the City Clerk 
before 5 p. m.* 

Dec. 5 .—CITY ELECTION. 

Dec. 6.—Registration reopens. 

In Beverly, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lowell, Lynn, 
Medford, Melrose, Newburyport, Newton, North Adams, Salem, Woburn 
and Worcester. 

Nov. 22. —Last day before City election for registration. Registrars 
must hold a continuous session from 12 m. to 10 p. m. 

Nov. 27. —Last day for holding conventions for nomination of candi¬ 
dates. 

Nov. 29. —Certificates of nomination must be filed with the City Clerk 
before 5 p. m.* 

Dec. 1 .-Nomination papers must be filed with the City Clerk before 
5 P. M.* 

Dec. 12.— CITY ELECTION. 

Dec. 13. —Registration reopens. 

IN BOSTON. 

Nov. 8.—Registration opens at central office. Hours till Nov. 11, 9 
a. m. to 5 p. m. From Nov. 11 till Nov. 22, 9 a. m. to xo p. m. 

' 11 .—Evening Ward Registration opens from 6 p. m. to 10 p. m. 

-Registration closes at 10 p. m. 

day for holding conventions for nomination of candi- 

^mination must be filed with Election 

M.* 


filed with Election Commis- 









